LeRoy Joseph Rupp

LeRoy Joseph Rupp, age 94 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Careage Hills in Cherokee, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, IA. Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cherokee, IA. Visitation with family present will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday night at the Immaculate Conception Church. There will be a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary following visitation at the church.

     LeRoy Joseph Rupp, age 94 of Cherokee, Iowa, the son of Fred N. and Matilda (Wilberding) Rupp was born on September 9, 1929, in Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1947. He served in the Navy from 1948 to 1952 in the Korean War.

     On August 20, 1953, LeRoy was united in marriage to Bonita Hanson at Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee, Iowa. They were blessed with 4 children: Deborah, Roxane, Kurt and Kyle.

     LeRoy worked for Walnut Grove as the Assistant Plant Manager for 31 years. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. His life was his family and the church.

LeRoy was ordained as a deacon for Immaculate Conception Church in 1984. He was a deacon for 40 years retiring in January of 2024. During those 40 years he and Bonnie would visit the local nursing homes every week. He would take communion to the shut ins. He enjoyed being involved in all the different functions of the church. His most cherished memories were baptizing and marrying family members and being on the altar at funerals for family members. He served as a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and was also a past Grand Knight for the Local Council.

     He was preceded in death by Fred N. and Matilda Rupp, parents; Kurt Rupp, son; Michael Halder, son-in-law; Sara Halder, granddaughter; Irene and Claude Bortscheller, sister and brother-in law; Marie and Ed Bortscheller, sister and brother-in-law; Walter and Marge Rupp, brother and sister-in-law; Laura and Tony Frangenberg, sister and brother-in-law; Eleanor and Bill Dahlem, sister and brother-in-law; Donald and Bonnie Rupp, brother and sister-in-law; Leo Rupp, brother; Rudy Sims, brother-in-law; Fred D. Rupp, brother; Keith Clark, brother-in-law; John O’Leary, brother-in-law; Alfred and Mary Hanson, mother and father-in-law; Deloris and George Stevens, sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Jack Hanson, brother-in-law; Jim Hanson, brother-in-law.

     He will lovingly be remembered by his wife Bonnie of 70 years. Children: Deborah Halder of Cherokee, IA; Roxane (Michael) Moller of Cherokee, IA and Kyle (Jody) Rupp of Gretna, NE. Grandchildren: Nicholas Halder, Rachel (Cody) Lucas, Jennifer Halder, Chad (Michelle) Moller, Allison (Corey) Kidwell, and Savanna Rupp. Great-Grandchildren: Emerson Lucas, Mia Lucas, Konner Moller, Karsten Moller, Cade Kidwell and Crue Kidwell. Shirley Sims, sister; Joan Rupp, sister-in-law; Norma Clark, sister; Mary O’Leary, sister; Sue Hanson, sister-in-law; Larry and Cyndy Hanson, brother-in law and sister-in-law; Linda Hanson, sister-in-law; many nieces and nephews and friends.