October 3, 1925 - May 21, 2018

Leonard John Druschba, 92, of Shell Lake died Monday, May 21, 2018 at his home in the company of his loving family.  He was born October 3, 1925 in Revere, ND to Joseph and Maude (Johnson) Druschba.  The family moved to Trego, WI and Leonard graduated from Spooner High School.  He enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1944-1946 on the Heavy Destroyer, "USS John W Weeks".  Upon his return to the States, he began his employment with the Wisconsin Conservation Department as a Conservation Aid in 1946.  In 1948, he transferred to the Southern Area at Madison.  He returned to the Northwest Area in 1950 and was stationed at Bayfield.  Later in 1950, Leonard once again heeded the call of his country, returning to the Navy and serving aboard the "USS Clymer" in the Korean War from 1950-1952.  Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he resumed his career with the WCD where he was appointed as one of the state's first Fish Managers, serving in that capacity at Osceola, Black River Falls, Waterford & Spooner.  He was married to Jean Ann Savoy on April 26, 1958 in Pewaukee, WI.  The couple moved to Trego where they started their family.  In January 1962, they moved into the house he built on Shell Lake where they continued their family.  On September 1, 1962, he was named Supervisor of Services for the Northwest District in Spooner.  He held the position until his retirement on December 7, 1984.  In 1971, Leonard and Jean also purchased a farm west of Shell Lake where he had dairy cows and later converted to beef cattle. 

In addition, Leonard also served on the Shell Lake City Council and Shell Lake Hospital Board.  In his retirement, he and Jean enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama for many years.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing & sharing stories of his life's experiences.   

He is survived his loving wife, Jean of Shell Lake; his 6 children: Greg Druschba of Shell Lake; Cathy (Siegward) Sereno of Spicewood, TX; Ann Kelly of San Francisco, CA; Megan (Fred) Johnson of River Falls; Cecile (Patrick) Aardappel of Spooner; Julie (Bruce) Walker of Rice Lake; 6 grandchildren: Danielle Johnson of Denver, CO; Emily Johnson of Dallas, TX; Aaron Druschba of Eau Claire; Nicholas Aardappel of Chippewa Falls; Jacob Aardappel of Spooner; Clare Walker of Rice Lake; sister Josephine Bartz of Mauston; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Leonard was preceded in death by his sisters Leone Haas and Edna Peterson and daughter-in-law, Trudy Druschba. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shell Lake with Father Bala Showry officiating and full Naval Military Honors accorded by the US Navy and the Shell Lake Honor Guard.  Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Trego.  Pallbearers are Bruce Walker, Fred Johnson, Siegward Sereno, Patrick, Nicholas & Jacob Aardappel. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the Mass on Saturday. 

Skinner Funeral Home of Shell Lake is serving the family. 

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:45 pm CST