Leroy Kuecker

Leroy D. "Sodie" Kuecker, 85, of North Port, passed away peacefully Friday morning June 6, 2025, at Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. He had family members with him in his last hours. Leroy was born April 6, 1940, in Harvard, IL. to the late Mary (Petersen) and Laverne Kuecker. He grew up on a dairy farm near Hebron, the oldest of six siblings, and attended Alden-Hebron High.

He married at a young age, had 5 children and lived in the Twin Lakes area, later divorcing. He had another child, married and lived in the Spring Grove area, later divorcing. He married a third time, becoming widowed in 2016. He worked as a heavy equipment operator at Paul May & Sons for many years and later retired from there. In 2004 he and his wife Jamie moved down to Florida.

He spent many years on softball, bowling and golf leagues and making friends at different establishments. He wasn’t a big talker, but loved to joke, tease, and connect over a drink…or two. He was known to cook up a good batch of cherry soup. He was revered for his dapper handlebar mustache and known for his cigar smoking, which became the signature “grandpa” smell. While sporting a mustache, full grey beard, and a big belly, some of his grandchildren believed that he was either Santa Clause or Kenny Rogers. In his later years he spent as much time on the golf course as he could and had a weekly routine of meeting up with friends at specific places, on specific days, for food and socializing. He and his siblings were a close bunch, always with a smile and a joke and an occasional fruit basket picture. His children, grandchildren, great and great, great grandchildren enjoyed his company at family gatherings, reunions and meeting up with him at his usual places. He made a point to attend as many of their events as possible and was proud of their accomplishments, often only expressing this by bragging to others.

He is survived by his six children - Lynne (Wes) Schmitz, Colette (Herb) Neufeld, Yvonne (Greg) Freund, Chris Kuecker, Angel Dawley, Robin Berry; he is further survived by 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 4 siblings, Sally Lubeno, Polly Burright, Tobey (Debra) Kuecker, Patsy (Bill) Thornburgh; a brother-in-law David Plahm; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jamie; stepson Aaron Baxter; sister Cindy Plahm; brother-in-law Dale Burright; and niece Brynn Thornburgh.

We will be Celebrating Sodie’s Life at the VFW on Pan American Blvd in North Port, FL on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10-12 pm. During this time his life will be honored, memories shared, and his ashes will be presented to his 6 children.

A 2nd Life Celebration will be held at Veteran’s Park on Fellows Rd in Genoa City, WI on Sunday, July 27, 2025, @ 3:00 pm. Please bring your own lawn chair.