Donald Harvey Leichtfuss

Donald Harvey Leichtfuss, 76, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family after a nearly five-year struggle with Parkison’s disease on January 5, 2025 at Eden Meadows in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Donald was born on April 26, 1948, at his childhood home in the Town of Nekimi, the youngest of 11 siblings. The little man grew up on the family farm of his parents, Herbert and Mandina Leichtfuss, which instilled a life-long passion for farming in him. He attended Oshkosh High School and then served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 where he was stationed in Fulda, Germany.

After his service he drove truck for Walnut Grove Feed Mill, followed by Klemm’s Disposal, and then for Waste Management until his retirement. In 1986 he realized a dream when he bought a small farm in Van Dyne with his wife, Vicki, where he raised chickens, geese, goats and bored pigs. Tragically, the farm was lost to a fire in 1991. Strangely he voluntarily used his vacation time to work on the farms of his brothers and nephew. He took over many of the chores on the family farm when the health of his brothers, Marvin and Richie, failed. He continued to farm whenever and however he could.

Donald spent the rest of his time reading newspapers from his ever-growing number of subscriptions and tending to his “small” garden the size of which grew, shrunk, and then grew again. He was known for his big smile and for always being ready to lend a helping hand. He gave his time freely to family, friends, and his community. Donald had a love for antique tractors, tractor pulls and tractor shows, Farm Progress Days, and Breakfast on the Farm. He was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran of Nekimi where he served as trustee for many years. In his retirement, he traveled with his wife when they could to see the bald eagles on the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac, to attend the World Antique Tractor Expo in Ankena, Iowa, and to tour Germany.

In his final year, Donald was well cared for by the staff of Eden Meadows and welcomed by the other residents there for which his family is very grateful.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Sylvia (Stahmann) Nygaard and Dorothy Hoff, and brothers, Earl, Oscar, Arnie, Gerard, Marvin, and Richie Leichtfuss as well as a niece, Jessica Leichtfuss.

Donald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Vicki (Berto) Leichtfuss, his brothers, George and Bobby (Barb) Leichtfuss, his children, Rick (Michelle) Harrington, Charles (Shannon), and Nandina Leichtfuss, his grandchildren, Dawson and Presley Harrington, his nieces and nephews, Karen, Randy, Brian, Rodney, Jeff, Julie, Jerry, Theresa, Mike, Chris, Lori, Cathy, Tami, and Tim, as well as many more grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and grandnephews.

Following visitation starting at 11 am, funeral services for Donald will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nekimi (491 Old Oregon Rd, Oshkosh 54902) on Monday, Jan 13, 2025, at 12 noon with Rev. John Krueger officiating.