Leo Andrew Nigh, age
87, of Plymouth, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sharon S. Richardson
Hospice. He was born on December 15, 1930 in Kewaskum, WI, the son of the late
Elmer and Evaline (nee Schmidt) Nigh. He graduated from Kewaskum High School in
1949.
On September 25, 1954,
he married Esther Emilie Straub at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Campbellsport,
WI. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. Esther preceded him in death on March
29, 2015.
One of 12 children, Leo
spent his early childhood years on a farm in Rogersville (Fond du Lac County)
before the family moved to a larger farm near Kewaskum. After graduation from
high school, he worked at The Kewaskum Feed Mill, and also as a delivery driver
for Lee Honeck. He served his country in the US Army from 1951-1953 during The Korean
Conflict. Upon his return from the service, he continued to work at the feed
mill until April 1, 1956, when he started Blanke and Nigh Roofing and Siding
Co. with his brother -in-law, Willard Blanke. He owned and operated the roofing
business for 40 years, until his son, Jim, took over in 1996. Leo was a well-respected
roofer, and served many people in Sheboygan County and the surrounding areas.
Leo and Esther moved
to Plymouth in 1956. They purchased a large 2- family house, which Leo
converted to a single family home, where they raised their 4 children, living
there for
57 years. They enjoyed
polka dancing, traveling, snowmobiling, spending time Up North, and hosting many
gatherings for family and friends.
Leo belonged to St.
John the Baptist Catholic Church, where he previously served as an usher.
He was a proud 30 year
veteran of the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of The American
Legion, Post 243 for 50+ years. He was able to participate on The Honor Flight in
2014, with his daughter, Barb, as his guardian. He often said “it was the one
of the best days in my life, and they treated me like a king”. Leo was one of
the founders of the Plymouth Snow Rangers Snowmobile Club and a charter member.
He worked for the Sheboygan County Fair Association for many years as a handy man,
putting his construction talents to work!
Leo was a friend to
all and known for his amiable personality, and willingness to help others.
He relished time spent
up north, where he enjoyed fishing, raising chickens and ducks, and spending
time with family and friends. Leo also spent many years helping with chores and
field work on the Fritz Luedke farm, as farming remained one of his lifelong
passions. He was on the go into his 80s with numerous side jobs such as a handyman
for Plymouth Plumbing and Heating and a courier for St. Nicholas Hospital.
Always busy, he enjoyed hobbies of woodworking, and was very able and quick to
build something by looking at a photo of it, or even just from hearing a
description of it. He made many things for friends and family. He also enjoyed
making liver sausage, making his last batch at age 86 (thanks George, Mary and Emma).
His sharp memory,
right up until the end, provided all of us with endless stories, from growing
up in a large farm family during The Depression Era, to every house and barn he
roofed. Left behind to cherish his memory include his four children: Debra
(Thomas) Greivell of Green Bay, James Nigh (Ally) of Plymouth, Barbara (Mark)
Sharon of Plymouth, and Bonnie (Kevin) Gemas of Thiensville. He was “Papa Leo”
to eleven grandchildren: Ted (Amanda) Greivell, Meggie Greivell, Adam (Angela)
Nigh, Kristin Nigh, TJ Schmidt, Jeremy (Andrea) Schmidt, Kyle (Megan) Gemas,
Brett Gemas, Brian Gemas, Alex Sharon, Phillip (Erica) Sharon and seven great-grandchildren:
Gemma and Ruby Greivell, Leo, Eli, and Jax Nigh, Owen Ellinger and Brooks
Sharon. He is survived by three sisters: Marian (Jerry) Darmody of Allenton, WI,
Agnes Bird of West Bend, WI, Barbara (Dale) Timmler of West Bend, WI, three
brothers: Vincent (Elvira) of Kewaskum, WI, Jerry (Beverly) Nigh of
Campbellsport, WI and David (Barbara) Nigh of Orlando, FL. Two sisters-in-law:
Bernadine (Paul) Bodden and Laura Nigh. He is also survived by many nieces and
nephews, other relatives including Valeria Straub and Barney Strobel, and a
host of friends, including Bob Janssen, his “Lunch at Barb’s” buddy, and the
morning gang at The Brown Bottle.
In addition to his
parents, and wife Esther (DeeDee), he was preceded in death by one beloved granddaughter,
Jennifer Lynn Schmidt, two sisters: infant Mary Nigh, Margaret (Willard)
Blanke, three brothers: Gregor (Anna) Nigh, Alban (Dorothy) Nigh, Lawrence
Nigh, sisters and brothers-in-law: Irene (Alvin) Wietor, Sally (Donald ) Funk,
Norman (Lois) Straub, Alvin Straub, Bernice (Bill) Volland, Alice Strobel, Rose
(Carold) Hatland, Bernard Straub and Virgil Bird.
Thank you Dad for
everything you have given us. You sure kept us on our toes! We will miss your
beautiful blue eyes, calm disposition, quiet strength and humility. Now you can
finally be with Mom again. Here’s to you Dad, PROST!
Memorial Services will
be held on Saturday (March 17, 2018) at 5:00 P.M. at Suchon Funeral Home in
Plymouth. Father Wayne Bittner will officiate. Inurnment will take place in the
Plymouth Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be
held at Suchon Funeral Home on Saturday (March 17) from 2:00 P.M. until time
Services.
In lieu of flowers, a
memorial fund has been established in Leo’s name.
The Ladewig-Zinkgraf
American Legion Post #243 will conduct Military Rites at the Funeral Home
following the Services.
The Suchon Funeral
Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. For online condolences,
please visit www.suchonfh.com.
We would like to
express our sincere thanks to the hospice team from Sharon Richardson for the
kind and compassionate care given to our Dad over the last year, honoring his
wish to be at home. A special thank you to his nurse, Mary Ann Wleklinski, for
everything she did. We also would like to thank Leo’s niece, Rita Pierce and her
husband Joel, for their loving support and help.
