LeRoy "Korky" Korban

1933 - 2025

Lake Mills, WI - LeRoy "Korky" Korban passed away peacefully at University of Wisconsin Hospital on Friday, October 3, 2025, one day shy of his 92nd birthday.

After graduating from Watertown High School, he enlisted in the Army, where he spent several years in Verdun, France, as an auto mechanic, and mastered his ability and skill to fix anything mechanical. He was honorably discharged on January 24, 1956. Upon his return to the States, he met and married his bride, Jean Schuld, on August 24, 1957, and recently celebrated 68 years of marriage. They built their home on Rock Lake and have lived in Lake Mills since 1960 and been members of St. Francis Xavier Church.

Korky received his Certificate of Apprenticeship from the Industrial Commission of the State of Wisconsin in June 1960, beginning his career in painting, decorating, and paper hanging, and ran Korban Painting & Decorating for many decades. He spent many years as a member of the Rock Lake Yacht Club, running the committee boat and racing C-scows. He was an original member of the Flat Trax Snowmobile Club and was also involved in the Jaycees.

Korky always had an instinct to help people in need, which led to his involvement in the volunteer Lake Mills EMS as an original founding member. He proudly served for 40 years, alongside many dedicated volunteers who became close friends. He also took on the challenging job as a school bus driver and, again, made many close friends.

His interests included sailing, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, camping, hunting, fishing, classic car shows, and traveling. He loved his time in the fall at the shack in Jump River with close friends and family. He was an avid card player, and could never pass up a game of Euchre, Sheepshead, Poker, or Hand and Foot. Other hobbies during retirement found him building model airplanes and ships.

One of the greatest highlights of his life was his participation in the Badger Honor Flight in April of 2025. He was impressed by the dedication of the BHF personnel, and how much the veterans were appreciated. He never stopped talking about his experience and felt honored to have been part of such an incredible journey.

Korky is survived by his wife, Jean (Schuld) Korban; his daughter, renée Korban; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Meta Korban; his brother, and sister-in-law, Earl (Rosemary) Korban; and his daughter, Kelly (Korban) Morris.

No formal services are scheduled at this time. A memorial mass/celebration of life will be held sometime in the future. Special thanks to Ben and Tracy Hein and Brad Hering for their loving and caring support during the final week of Dad's life. We love you, Dad, and you will be greatly missed.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Badger Honor Flight, to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Expansion fund in Lake Mills, WI, or the charity of your choice.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com