Leo Fisbeck
Leo Leslie Fisbeck, age 93, of Paoli, was born Oct. 5, 1928, to Emil H. and Elnora T. (Krueger) Fisbeck in rural southern Phillips County. Leo died March 1, 2022, at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke after his battle with cancer. Leo recently said, “I have just lived too long, but what a blessing my life has been.”
He had three brothers and four sisters. In 1930, at the age of 2, his family moved to Paoli, where he resided for 91 years. He attended grade school in Paoli and attended Haxtun High School for two years before transferring and graduating from Holyoke High School. He was baptized and confirmed at and was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke.
After graduating, he worked for his father and others farming and later at the family filling station in Paoli. In 1951 he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country in the Korean War. He returned home in December 1952, working for Phillips County and again at the family filling station in Paoli.
On Valentine’s Day 1954, he married his loving wife, Elsie Mae (Maine) Fisbeck. To this union four sons were born: Steven, Ronnie, Larry and Lennie. In 1956 he began his longtime career with the Paoli Farmers Co-op Elevator, many years as manager, retiring in 1991. Leo and Elsie lived in Paoli, where they were blessed to share 66 years of marriage to one another and watch their family grow.
Leo was an amazing father who enjoyed caring for his family, giving special attention to each and every one. He loved being a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a passion for playing softball in his younger years, going to auctions and county fairs, and raising hogs. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family and going to coffee with his buddies.
One of his greatest pleasures was his family. He loved cooking them Rocky Mountain oysters or a good steak and sharing his homegrown pork with them. Leo served on the Paoli town board for many years and on the Rural Fire Board.
He is survived by his sons, Steven and Wendy Fisbeck of Gill, Larry Fisbeck of Windsor, and Lennie and Tillie Fisbeck of Holyoke; sister, Gertie Jo Lewis of Holyoke; brother, Donald Fisbeck of Fort Collins; sisters-in-law, Onna Lee Ready and Woody of Arizona City, Arizona, and Vicki Fisbeck of Fort Collins; brothers-in-law, Quentin Biesemeier of Haxtun and Gene Vorce of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Wesley Fisbeck and Laura of Lafayette, Preston Fisbeck and Danielle of Windsor, Kaylene Fisbeck of Loveland, Kyle Fisbeck and Erin of Byers, and Lisa Fisbeck and Ryan of Denver; great-grandchildren, Landon Fisbeck, Dexter Fisbeck, Naudia Fisbeck, Reed Fisbeck, Elsie Cobb, Jasmine Fisbeck and Brodie Fisbeck; cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Elnora Fisbeck; wife, Elsie Fisbeck; son, Ronnie Fisbeck; brothers, Billy Ray Fisbeck and Herbert Fisbeck; sisters, Darlene Vorce, Lorena Fisbeck and Doris Fisbeck; brother-in-law, Eugene Maine and wife Vona; brother-in-law, Pryor Lewis; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Biesemeier and Barbara Fisbeck; and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Fisbeck.
The memorial service was held March 7 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke, with Pastor Gary Rahe officiating. Interment followed at the Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.