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Leo Frank Socher Obituary – 08/24/08


Leo Frank Socher, age 81, of Montrose, died early Sunday morning, Aug. 24, 2008, at the Elim Home in Watertown.

He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Delano, the son of Gehrman and Cecelia Motzko Socher.

Leo honorably served his country in the US military in occupied Japan.

Leo was joined in holy marriage with Merrilla Kalstrom Dec. 27, 1954, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis by Father Cowley.

Leo was employed for many years as a monument setter by Delano Granite Company. At age 56, he started working for his friend, Tom O’Connell. Leo, according to his family’s reckoning, never missed a day of work.

He belonged to the Church of St. Mary in Waverly.

Leo enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Merrilla Socher; children, Dan (Tammy) Socher of Waverly, Debra (Jack) Wambeke of Maple Lake, and Carrie (Tim) Solien of Montrose; grandchildren, Christie Van Orden, Shane Lobitz, Amber and Devin Socher, and Hayden Solien; three great-grandchildren, Mason and Ella Van Orden, and Autumn Van Orden; sisters Eileen Kolstad of Lyndale, and Leona Yantes of Watertown; a sister-in-law, Gladys Socher of Watertown; godchildren Roxanne Danielson, Jamie Frank, Iris Janicula, and Steve and David Socher; and other relatives and friends.

Leo was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Socher; his parents, Gehrman and Cecelia Socher; brothers Ambrose, Aloys, Alex, and Clarence; and sisters Lucille Kusha, Cecelia Florek, and Dorothy Dusa.

A memorial service took place Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Waverly with a time of gathering for one hour prior to the Mass. Father Timothy Cloutier officiated, and interment followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family.

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