Jim Leesch, 74 of Wells, died Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services will be held Saturday 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minnesota Lake. Deacon Eugene Paul will officiate. Visitation will be at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Minnesota Lake with military honors by the Wells Color Guard.

James William Leesch was born Feb. 25, 1933, in Mankato, the son of August and Lillian (Gabriel) Leesch. He grew up in the Minnesota Lake area and also lived in the New Richland area, and has lived in Wells for many years. He married Bernadine Mary Stencel on Jan. 16, 1965, in Minnesota Lake. He worked at Queen Products in Albert Lea for many years and enjoyed fishing, gardening, yard work, word puzzles, and time with his family.

He is survived by four daughters: Marilee and husband Tim Hardyman of Rochester, Kari and husband Paul Woyda of New Prague, Lana and husband Randy Rasmussen of Mankato, and Lisa and husband Tony Waldo of Stacy; one son: Stacy Leesch (special friend Jessica McLaughlin) of Mankato; 10 grandchildren: Dylan, Taryn and Ciera Hardyman, Tyler, Alex, and Kalli Woyda, Nicholas and Kristen Rasmussen, and Brandon and Taylor Waldo; four sisters: Lorraine Childs of Madelia, LaVon (Leslie) Mutch of Mankato, Violet (Matt) Klocek of Wells, and Sonja (Ed) Disher of Owatonna; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bernadine in 1996, and two brothers Harlan Leesch and one in infancy.