Leo “Ole” E. Woods, 97, of Ontario passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born Feb. 16, 1915, in the town of Whitestown to Charles and Minnie (Budde) Woods. Leo attended the Oden country school and graduated from the Ontario High School in 1935. On June 25, 1944, he was united in marriage to Marjorie B. Beighley of Viola.
He was employed at Robinson Hardware in Ontario for eight years. In 1942, he purchased from Mack Marshall the former Charles Nixon grocery store. After operating the business for 17 years, he then sold it to Bruce and Bernie Bauman. He continued as a self-employed carpenter and handyman at many odd jobs.
He served as a fireman on the Ontario Fire Department for 37 years, Bank of Ontario board member for more than 50 years and as a member of the Ontario Village Board. He was a member of Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church and later Ontario Grace Community Church until the time of his death.
He loved traveling, camping, fishing and hunting. He lived in Ontario most of his life before moving to Old Times Assisted Living in Westby in 2008.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie; four brothers, Floyd, Nathan, Harold and Merrill; and one sister, Carol.
He is survived by one sister, Norma Stuve, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Grace Community Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will be in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5–7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Family and friends are also invited for visitation from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Those surviving him would like to express deep appreciation to the staff at Old Times Assisted Living, the dialysis staff at Gundersen Lutheran in Viroqua, the medical staff at the Viroqua Gundersen Lutheran Clinic, the Onalaska Gundersen Lutheran dermatology staff and the La Crosse Gundersen Lutheran Hospital staff. Your caring and caregiving have been exceptional. Thank you so much.
