Leo J. Buchner

OREGON/FITCHBURG - Leo J. Buchner, of Oregon/Fitchburg passed away peacefully Monday, December 24, 2012 at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born May 31, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to Gizela Geresh and Anton J Buchner. The family moved to the Oregon area in 1922 where Leo attended Lakeview School. During those early years he liked to hunt and fish, anything to be outside in the countryside. Leo worked in the two general stores the family owned, one was in Lake Waubesa, Brickson Park area and the other was at the corner of Hwy MM and B.After high school graduation he went to work at Fritz Construction Company in Madison where he achieved his construction apprenticeship. He married Bessie M Drought on September 7, 1940 and they celebrated 65 years together. In 1941 he helped build the Badger Ordinance Powder Plant in Baraboo, WI and worked there until he joined the Army Corp of Engineers serving in the WWII European Theater until 1945. Returning home he rejoined Fritz Construction Co then had an opportunity to start his own General Concrete Construction Business in 1952. He was a well known Madison contractor for the next 28 years, retiring in 1980. He took immense pride in the work he did for Dane County, the City of Madison, the State Capital building and University of Wisconsin campus as well as various residential customers. Leo was a loyal Badger Hockey season ticket holder and Braves/Brewers fan. His hobbies included bee keeping and working in his many flower and vegetable gardens on his 40 acre homestead on Hwy MM. Survivors include his daughter, Karen (James) Frank; son, Robert (Susan) Buchner; brother, John Buchner; nephews, Robert and Brion Drought, Jack (Melanie) Martino; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Bessie in 2005, his parents, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts and uncles. Private funeral services are planned with burial in Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Leo's name to Agrace HospiceCare. The family wants to thank Jim and Bernice Conner for being such close neighbors and good friends. They have been so helpful, thoughtful and generous to Leo and Bessie for so many years. We also want to thank all the caring people we have come to know at Saint Mary's Hospital, Waunakee Manor and Agrace HospiceCare. You made Leo's last year easier for him and our family. Our gratitude goes beyond words.