Leo J. Kocmich, 78 of Avon
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante, with burial in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, rural Dante. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with the family present. A 7:00 p.m. rosary/wake will follow. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of the arrangements.

Leo Joseph Kocmich, son of Joseph and Josephine (Cahoy) Kocmich, was born February 24, 1938 on a farm near Dante, SD. He died peacefully at his home in Avon surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, under hospice care. Leo attained the age of 78 years, three months and 22 days.

Leo graduated from Avon High School and then served in the U.S. National Guard from September 24, 1956 to March 8, 1963.

Leo married Irene Uhing on September 13, 1960 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley, NE. Six children were blessed to their union.

Leo drove truck for Jim Janssen, farmed, worked for Avon Livestock and D & L Oil. He then worked for Schultz Ready Mix from 1986 until he retired in 2015.

Leo was a member of the Arthur Wissman American Legion Post #150, National Guard and the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante, where he served on the CCD Board.

Leo enjoyed wood working, traveling, fishing, being on his computer and Czech music. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Irene of Avon; children: Kevin (Joy) of Litchfield, MN, Connie (Norman) Deal of Tyndall, Allen (Linda) of Avon, Kristi (Jeff) Johnson of Bancroft, IA, Leann (Jim) Bicknell of Yankton and Don (Dawn) of Avon; 19 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two sisters: Leona Kotab of Wagner and Patty (Steve) Kohnen of Brandon; one brother, Joe of Yankton; and many relatives and friends.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Joe and Ida Uhing; and brother-in-law, Mike Kotab.