Denis John Leise
View/Post Sympathy Messages

Denis John Leise, 62 of Bow Valley, Nebraska, died on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley, NE with the Rev. Eric Olson officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery in Bow Valley. Visitation will be on Monday, at church in Bow Valley from 4-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to services. Wintz Funeral Home of Hartington is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Kurt Johnson, Travis Whien, Todd Thoene, Scott Lammers, Jeff Thoene, Cody Thoene, Keith Thoene, Jody Koch, John Lucas, Nathan Leise, Justin Dickes, and Craig Jackson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Friends and colleagues of One Stop Career Center and IAWP.

Denis John Leise was born on March 28, 1947 in Yankton, SD to Al and MaryAnn (Reifenrath) Leise. He grew up in Hartington and graduated from Cedar Catholic High School in 1966. He was a graduate of Wayne State College in Wayne, NE and received his Masters Degree in Education there in 1979. Denis married Karen Thoene on April 22, 1968 in Bow Valley. He began teaching at Atkinson West Holt and then taught and became Principal of East Catholic Elementary School in Bow Valley. His career in education spanned over 20 years. He worked for One Stop Career Center in Yankton for the next 25 years in which he later became manager at the Vermillion office.

Denis was a member of Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley. He was a member of the IAWP (International Association of Workforce Personnel) for which he was the South East President, the State President and an international delegate; Tri-County Sportsman's Association, NRA, he loved all sports, hiking, golfing and doing things with his family and grandchildren.

Denis is survived by his wife, Karen of Bow Valley; 4 children and their spouses, Tammy and Tom Carson of South Sioux City, NE and their children Michael and Rose; Tim Leise of Bow Valley and his children Daniel and Ana; Tony and Chrissy Leise of Valparaiso, NE and their children Madi & Carter; Tiff and Curt Becker of Dodge, NE and their daughter Peyten; 4 brothers and spouses, Cyril and Marcia Leise of Ralston, NE; Virgil and Sue Leise of Kearney, NE; Regis and Sherry Leise of Hartington; Tim and Doreen Leise of Hartington.

Messages will be reviewed and posted within 1 business day.

Karen and family, (Mr. Leise)Denis was one of my teachers at WHH. I will always remember his faith in me as a student. He was a special teacher (person in my life) I will always have fond memories. May your memories and faith in God help you at this time of loss. With sincere sympathy, deb Deb Anson Brauer Mr. Leise was a great history teacher at West Holt. We always had fun in his classes as well as managing to learn something in the process. May God be with you and your family. Sincerely, Lorraine (Hale) Etherton Class of 1971 I am so sorry to hear that Denis has passed on. I will keep you all in my prayers. I worked with Denis at South East Job link and I will always remember the many stories and laughs we shared he was so much fun to work with. God Bless Denis and your family . DelRae Abler Tiff So sorry to hear of your dads passing! Know that I am thinking of you and your family! Jody Stecher I am so sorry to hear the news of Denis's death. It was good to see him in his home environment last year when I visited. He had a beautiful new home to enjoy with his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take care- Carol Carol (Heine) Cardona Karen and Family I had the pleasure of working with Denis at the Career Center in Yankton - he was very proud of his family, loved his hunting trips, working on the kids homes, his dog buddy and his vacations with Karen.. He was a good guy! My heart goes out to you all - God bless - Lois Padgett This is very sad news for it seems like Denis' time here with family and friends was cut short. I remember Denis as a coach, teacher, principal, and very intuitive man... May God hold each of you close as you are comforted by memories and faith that he is walking in heaven with our Father. Prayers to all of you, Peg (Wiepen) Mach Our sympathy to your family. We were his students at West Holt High School. What a great teacher! Gary and Bonnie Lech My sympathy to the Leise family. Denis was my history teacher at Atkinson West Holt. He was a very nice guy. Joy (Addison) Potts~~Norfolk, NE Karen, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. We all go back a long way. I don't have one memory of Denis when he didn't have that terrific smile. You two always were so perfect together. The great memories will live on forever. Lois Schock Karen--You and Denis are in my prayers Dolores Kaiser

Send your Sympathy Message

Name of Deceased: (required)*

Please type your message:*

Sender's Name:*
Sender's Email:

* Required field

View All Local Obituaries