Leonard "Len" Ihlenfeldt, 76, Allouez, passed away Nov. 18, 2008, at home after a battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Len was born on June 14, 1932, and is the son of Gertrude (Elsie) Ihlenfeldt and late Vernon Ihlenfeldt. Leonard married Barbara Mathey on June 18, 1960, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Institute.
Leonard served his country during the Korean War. He was a producer and director at WBAY-TV for 52 years. He worked 30 years as the director of the Cerebral Palsy Telethon. Len also worked for various national television networks as the field manager for the Green Bay Packer games. In 1999 Len was chosen to work in Miami for Super Bowl XXXIII.
He was very active throughout the community, including being a Boy Scout Leader, coaching girls and boys basketball, and playing trombone during high school and later for the Allouez Town Band. Len was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church of Allouez where he was a Eucharistic Minister at church and also at Bellin Hospital. He was a 4th Degree member of The Knights of Columbus.
Len enjoyed the outdoors, working the land, riding his bike, but most of all he loved his grandchildren and greatly treasured the time spent at all of their activities.
Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara; mother, Gertrude; son, Paul (Jeanne) Ihlenfeldt, Green Bay; son-in-law, Jeff Bernhardt, Ohio; grandchildren, Nicole, Matthew, David, John, and Nathan Ihlenfeldt; stepgrandsons, Cameron and Brayton Bernhardt; sisters, LaNita (Ron) Tebo, Seattle; and Lola "Candy" Ihlenfeldt, Oshkosh; brother-in-law, Bill Mathis, Ashwaubenon, along with many nieces and nephews.
Leonard is preceded in death by his father, Vernon; daughter, Lori Bernhardt who passed away June 15, 2008; and sister, Linda Mathis.
Family and friends may call on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, corner of Webster Ave. and St. Matthew Street, Allouez from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. with Ann Froelich, Pastoral Associate officiating.Visitation will continue Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at the church from 9 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at St. Matthew Catholic Church with Rev. Anthony Dolski, Len's uncle officiating. The Rev. Larry Seidl and the Rev. David Baeten as concelebrants. Entombment in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Cotter Funeral Home, De Pere, 920-336-8702, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to Len's family at www.cotterfuneral home.com
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Unity Hospice.
