Leonard Oiva Niskanen

LEONARD O. NISKANEN
Leonard Oiva Niskanen, 91, Brantwood, WI, died at his home on Friday, March 6, 2015, while under the care of his family and Hope Hospice and Palliative Care. He was born at the Niskanen home place in Brantwood on May 23, 1923, the son of John and Lydia Niskanen. He served his country in the United States Navy. He was married to Mable Sandquist on August 11, 1945, in St. Nathaniel Lutheran Church at Knox Mills. They moved to their dairy farm in Brantwood, and in addition to farming worked at a number of jobs, including logging in Northern Minnesota, Prentice Hydraulics, Owens Illinois Paper Company in the Bahamas, Tomahawk Sand and Gravel, Town of Knox Road Superintendent, and Esterholm Enterprises. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Brantwood, and of the Spirit American Legion Post No. 452, and a number of farm organizations. Leonard’s great passion was work, and he was guided by Ruth 2:12; The Lord recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel under whose wings thou art come to trus though he also enjoyed reading the National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines and sharing the information that he gleaned from them.
He is survived by five daughters, Jacqueline Frost, Superior, Lenore 9Roger) Short, Las Vegas, NV, Heidi (Jerald) Esterholm, Prentice, Michelle (Jerold) Nelson, Ogema, and Julie Niskanen, Wausau; by 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; by two sister-in-laws, Nancy Sandquist, Inverness, IL, and Florence Niskanen, Athens, WI; by many nieces and nephews; and by his faithful canine companion of 17 years, Buppi. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable, on January 19, 2012; by two brothers, Wilho and Oliver; by four sisters, Allie Johnson, Ellen Kovisto, Bertha Wick, and Lilly Pokela; and by one son-in-law, Warren Frost.
Memorial services will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Brantwood at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 21, with Pastor Richard Hall officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Spirit American Legion Post No. 452. Friends may call at the church from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services. Inurnment will be in the Prentice Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com
The Heindl Funeral Home in Prentice is assisting the family with arrangements.