Earl L. Lechner

Earl Leon Lechner, 81, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Rhea Evanson officiating.  Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, in Mason City, with military honors provided by the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Mercy-North Iowa Cancer Center in Mason City.

Earl was born July 25, 1935, the son of George and Cora (Peterson) Lechner in Oakland, Minn.  He married Marjorie Becker on Aug. 17, 1955, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, in Osage, Iowa.  He later married Beverly Christopher on Aug. 29, 1987, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Ventura.  She preceded him in death on Oct. 25, 2014.

Earl grew up and attended school in Oakland.  He joined the National Guard and was honorably discharged on March 25, 1959.  He worked most of his life as a truck driver.

Earl was an avid fan of golf, NASCAR and the Minnesota Vikings.  He liked camping, fishing and riding his motorcycle.  Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his family and grandchildren.

Earl is survived by eleven children, David Lechner, of Clear Lake, James Lechner, of Clear Lake, Deneen (Mick) Schweiger, of Osage, Dana (Nancy) Lechner, of Corpus Christi, Texas, Tina Chapin, of Clear Lake, Diane Hitchcock, of Ottumwa, Minn., Yvonne (Doug) Arrick, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Connie (Leon) Weaver, of Rockwell, Charlene (Tom) Starr, of Rockwell, Tim (Jenny) Hitchcock, of Mason City, and Tom (Shelly) Hitchcock, of Rockwell; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold Lechner, of Austin, Minn.; and two sisters-in-law, Marlene Lechner, of Austin, Minn. and Carrie Duckett, of Rockwell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a grandson, Grant Hitchcock; a sister, Joyce (Fred) Zech; and a brother, Dean Lechner.

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