Leo R. Vasquez

MASON CITY Leo R. Vasquez, age 87, of Mason City, died Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday (March 2, 2010) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Mark Doebel officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to the Leo Vasquez memorial fund in care of the family.

Leo was born on August 1, 1922, the oldest child of Armando and Lupe (Trijillo) Vasquez. He was united in marriage to Norma Jean Frazier in 1949. From this union he was blessed with a son and his best friend Dan.

Leo worked for years as a mechanic, welder and farmer. He was also a supervisor at Mid-Equipment in Mason City and I.M.T. in Garner. He always took great pride in his work.

Leo was larger than life to all who knew him. He always had a story to share. No one he encountered ever remained a stranger. He had a love of cars and motorcycles, and loved riding his Harley with one of his best friends, Elmo Frazier.

On Saturday nights, you could always find him out dancing with his baby, Charlotte. He loved his country music, the VFW, and the band Full House.

In 2007, he was featured on the front page of the Globe Gazette for his whistling. Over the years, he whistled with Patti Page, Marvin Rainwater, John Blanchard, Misty Morgan, Kitty Wells, Full House, and many others. He enjoyed watching his westerns on TV, many times over.

Leo is survived by the love of his life, Charlotte Stensrud of Mason City; son: Dan Vasquez and fiance: Candy Pitkin of Clear Lake; Charlottes children: Randy (Debbie) Stensrud of Joice, Charlene (Mike) Martin of Marshalltown, Marlene (Rodger) Jessen of Isaquah, WA, Renae (Bernie) Thompson of Camas, WA, Rhonda (Patrick) Zender of Portland, OR, and his four footed fuzz balls, Ginger, Ralphie, Barney, and Pumpkin; brother: Rufus (Alice) Vasquez of Mason City; sisters: Josie Ruiz of Mason City, Anna Vasquez of Ft. Worth, TX, and Lupe Reyes of California. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Mary, Angie, Teresa, and Johnnie.
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