Leonard J. Van Beek, 87 of West Bend, passed away Friday, October 14, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital, West Bend.

He was born on March 11, 1924 in the town of Barton to the late Jacob and Mathilda (nee Dricken) Van Beek. Leonard attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Allenton. On August 25, 1948, he was united in marriage to Virginia Mueller at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Church in Barton. After their marriage, Leonard farmed in Allenton for five years and then they moved to West Bend and he began working at the West Bend Company. After retiring from the West Bend Company in 1985, he went on to work at Tennies Hardware for 14 years. Leonard was also very proud that he earned his GED at the age of 50. Leonard was a member of the West Bend Company's 25 Year Club and the West Bend Moose Lodge #1398.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; a daughter, Jane (Tom) Haug of Nobelsville, IN; two grandchildren, Christopher (Debi) Haug of South Bend, IN, and Carrie Haug of Clearwater, FL; two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Samuel; a sister, Bernice Groh of Menomonee Falls; other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial in remembrance of Leonard will be held on Monday, October 17 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1025 S. 7th Avenue, West Bend, and burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in the town of Barton. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.