Leo S. Sterkel
June 9, 1935 ~ December 3, 2013
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Leo S. Sterkel, 78, passed away Dec. 3, 2013. Survived by his children, Ronda and Rickie Sterkel; grandchildren; stepchildren, Maureen Papish, Frank (Eve) Papish and Janine Winder. Preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia F. Sterkel and parents, Samuel S. and Edith L. Sterkel.
Leo was born June 9, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was proud of his service to his country in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1953 to 1955 and in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1960 at Ft. Carson and Germany. Pueblo has lost a true patriot and will miss seeing Leo driving his vehicles decorated with U.S. flags.
Leo enjoyed driving old cars, especially his 1953 Chevy, a duplicate of his first car. Leo retired from Pueblo Gas & Fuel and after retirement, he worked for Enterprise Car Rental.
Leo was a kind and generous person who loved animals. He regularly ate at the south side Applebees, IHOP and Paganos where he enjoyed socializing with the staff and other customers.
Thank you to Dr. Rendler and his staff for the special care they gave Leo for many years.
As per his request, there will be no viewing or services. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorials may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice or Pueblo Animal Services through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
I am Rhonda’s and Rickie’s aunt Dorothy, and wish to express my condolences. As we cross over from one bridge to another, the door is opened to us. We know things are better for Leo. We know he is waiting for you on the other side of that bridge. . God leaves you with many memories of good times to share and build on as you remember each day I express my thoughts with you both at this time. God bless you both at this time with great memories.
Dorothy and Jim
I am a friend of Leo’s from way back, we used to work together! Leo
always had a sense of humor, and more than a little fun in the
workplace, raising hell with one company policy or another one manager
or another, or all of both of them at once and grinning like a Cheshire
Cat when he saw the upset he had caused by speaking the truth about
things very few others were ballsy enough to speak directly about due to
fear of retribution or retaliation. He feared nothing and especially
would not shy away from taking the Road Less Traveled, not needing
others support or accompaniment to stand for what he believed in! He got
my admiration for that, and still does.
We have recently have seen Leo on the “Southside” of Pueblo haunting the
Eateries as mentioned in the Paper today. We too eat at some of the same
places, and would run into him there on occasion. Everybody knew him and treated him like the true character he was. He loved the attention, of course.
The last time I saw him about five or six weeks ago I could tell he didn’t remember me anymore, but that did not stop him from smiling and pretending to know me, just to be polite, as he always was!
We will miss seeing his U S Flag draped vehicles around Town, and his wide grins when he was sure he had stumped me or others in some point of Military history memorabilia…or such. He loved to be “in charge” and step
ahead of others, in this game called life. I shall, we shall miss him,
but he’ll not be easily or soon forgotten. He was One of a Kind! Dennis
Sowell