Martin W. Leitzke

May 10, 1922 - August 19, 2013

Martin Walter Leitzke was given life by his Creator and was born in Horicon, Wisconsin on May 10, 1922, the child of William F. and Martha M. (Moericke) Leitzke. On May 10, 1922, he received the gift of baptism and became a child of God. Baptism participants were Pastor Fred Schwertfeger and Pastor Oscar Hauser. On May 19, 1935, Martin publically confessed his faith and was confirmed and received the precious gift of the Lord”s life-giving body and blood by Pastor Walter Stoehr in Mayville. On August 11, 1945, he received the gift of a beloved companion in his spouse, Marie Rose (Johnson) Hankwitz. On August 19, 2013, God blessed his servant, Martin with a holy death and took him home to rest in the arms of Jesus and be reunited with Marie.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie, on October 9, 2008; by his father, William F. Leitzke, on January 25, 1971; by his mother, Martha M. Leitzke, on May 10, 1985; by his brother, Harold Leitzke on July31, 1928; by his sister, Gertrude S. Fenner, on March 10, 1925; and by his son-in-law, Gordon Keup, on May 20, 2013.

Martin graduated from Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota. He also studied at Concordia University, Chicago, Illinois, and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison campuses. He received a Master of Arts Degree in Education on November 26, 1969. Martin also obtained a State of Wisconsin Department of Instruction certificate to teach grades 7-8 in 1970 and a State of Wisconsin Department of Instruction certificate to serve as principal 1972. During his life, Martin served as a teacher, organist, choir director, youth director, Sunday School superintendant, athletic director etc at various churches: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & School, Kimberly, WI; St. John Lutheran Church & School, Freemont, WI; St. John Lutheran Church & School, Lomira, WI; and St. Stephen Lutheran Church & School, Horicon, WI. Upon his return to Horicon, he began work with Pastor Schwertfeger.

Martin also served in other offices and positions: VP of the South Wisconsin District Western Teacher”s Conference; President/Vice President of Circuit Sunday School Association; member of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Counseling and Family Services; Child welfare worker for Dodge County, Wisconsin; President of AAL Branch 678 in Horicon for many years; AAL Lamplighter for ten branches; sexton of Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon; member of St. Stephen Planning Committee; member of St. Stephen Building Committee for the office complex; Chairman of St. Stephen Door Committee in the former church; and counselor to various individuals. Martin also served the Lord by singing in the Mixed Choir, participating in the Dartball Team, being an Elder, a volunteer in several areas, and a member of the Time to Build Building Committee.

Martin is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Keup of Horicon; two sons, Robert of West Bend and Steven of Fox Lake; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Robert Fenner of Oshkosh; other relatives and friends.

There will be a memorial gather at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon on Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will follow at church on Thursday beginning at 11:00 AM with Pastor Daniel Seehafer and Pastor Jonathan Szczesny officiating. Private burial services will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church or School, 505 N. Palmatory in Horicon.

The Murray Funeral Home, 716 Clinton Street in Horicon, is caring for the family. To leave condolences, for directions, or for other information, please visit our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Visitation Details

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013, 9:00am – 11:00am, St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church-Horicon

Service Details

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013, 11:00am, St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church-Horicon

Interment Details

Oak Hill Cemetery-Horicon

See Condolences

My father, Ed Weiss, was a member of the Martin Luther College class of 1943. He passed away in 2017. I have just gone through some of his files and found information and photos from many class reunions that "M&M" helped coordinate. They sounded like wonderful people and I wanted to convey my sympathies family as well as the face the Ed saved a lot of information from DMLC. (I googled Martin's name when I saw it on so many pieces of correspondence and that led me to this obituary.) Blessings to your family from Rockford, IL.

Russell and I would like to express our sympathy to your family.Darlene is with God now. May she be at peace with him.

It saddened me to see that Mr. Leitzke, one of my favorite grade school teachers, had passed on. He had a profound impact on me and I always looked for him when I visited St. Stephens to catch up on his life. I will miss seeing him, but understand he is in a far better place. Bonnie Hodgson

Marty was a true inspiration and special gift from God. We were blessed to have him in our life. He will be greatly missed. With our love and prayers, Ann & Greg & Kiana Jenswold

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Marty was a true inspiration and special gift from God. We were blessed to have him in our life. He will be greatly missed. With our love and prayers, Ann & Greg & Kiana Jenswold

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.