Loren Lease

   Loren Kendall Lease, 83, 400 Hwy. 18 W., died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, Iowa.

     A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 508 2nd Ave. N., Clear Lake, with Rev. Dr. Rhoda Preston officiating.  Visitation with family will be from 1– 2 p.m. at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.   According to his wishes, he has donated his body to science at the University of Iowa.  Memorials may be given to the Loren K. Lease Memorial Fund.

     Loren was born Nov. 5, 1929 in Wesley, Iowa, the son of Lester Leon and Myrtle Eleanor (Gesme) Lease.  He graduated from Waldorf Academy in 1947 and Waldorf College in 1949 with an AA degree in accounting.  Following college he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 28, 1950 and served in the Korean conflict on the USS Juneau.  After an honorable discharge on May 14, 1954, Loren returned to Mason City and married Ruth Ann Miller Oct. 6, 1956 at the Clear Lake Methodist Church.  

     Loren worked for Winnebago Industries for 21 years, retiring in 1989.  He loved having coffee with his buddies at the Corner Drug and Backyard Deli, woodworking, fishing and hunting.  He enjoyed making things for his grandchildren and spending time with them.  He was often seen riding his motor scooter and he played Santa for many years in Clear Lake.  Loren was a charter member of the Clear Lake Evening Lions, a member of the American Legion in Wesley and the Clear Lake V.F.W.

     The last four years he was a resident of Oakwood Care Center where he was a master sweets eater.  

     Loren is survived by his wife, Ruth Lease,  Clear Lake; four daughters, Susan (Don) Phinney,  Sharon (Tim Hathaway) Somers, Sandy (Steve) Roberts and Shirley Lease, all of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Scott (Samantha Compton) Somers Jr., Clear Lake, Tony (Kayla Watson) Somers, Iowa City, Iowa, Kendall Ann Register, Clear Lake, Joe Register Jr., Manly, Iowa, Robert Register, Clear Lake, and Anna Lease, Clear Lake; one great-grandson, Isaiah Somers; and many cousins.

     Loren was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leon Sterling Lease.

     Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.