Leslie Litzer

Leslie James Litzer, 97, of Wausau, died Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.
He was born January 1, 1919, in Seattle, WA, son of the late Thomas and Viola (Peterson) Litzer Sr. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1937 and graduated from the Wausau Business College.
Les enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 2, 1940 and proudly served his country during World War II in the CBI Theater (China, Burma, India) at the 95th Station Hospital in Kunming China, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant. On Feb. 6, 1943 he married Eleanor Schoenherr at Fort Custer, MI. He was honorably discharged on Christmas Eve, 1945. After his discharge they made their home in Wausau where Les worked as an accountant at 3M for over 30 years.
Les was a member of the VFW Post 388. He was privileged to participate in the very first Never Forgotten Honor Flight on April 27, 2010 with his daughter Ann as his guardian. He met fellow veteran Tom Cloutier and enjoyed weekly Friday night fish fries and a good laugh with Tom and his wife, Ann in the following years.
Les was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church and in his younger years served as the Assistant Financial Secretary. When he was no longer able to physically attend church on Sunday mornings he continued to watch the service broadcast every Thursday afternoon on TV.
Les was a kind and gentle soul. He enjoyed watching Brewer games, listening to polkas and big band music, playing his harmonica, and spending time with his family and friends.
Les is survived by a daughter, Ann (Dan) Mansk of Wausau, two sons: Richard (Sue Parnell Teusink) of Choctaw, OK and Eugene (Shelley Arps) of Wausau, three grandchildren: Becky Poalinelli, Sarah (Noah) Sickler and Jack (Deea) Mansk , a very special great-granddaughter, Blake Lilly Sickler, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor on Nov. 23, 2009, a brother, Thomas Jr., a sister, Winifred Olson, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Litzer.
A celebration of new life will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau WI. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the church. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park with full military honors.
You may sign our online guestbook at www.helke.com.
Special thanks to Dr. Chris Peterson of Aspirus Regional Cancer Center for his compassionate care and to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, especially Shelly and Sam, also Lisa Rae for the beautiful piano music.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran School Education Grant Fund or the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
"Home, James." Rest in peace.