Memorial Services for Leo Thomsen, 100, of Jefferson, formerly of Paton, Iowa will be 10:30 am Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Salem United Methodist Church in Paton.  Burial will take place in the Paton Township Cemetery, Paton, Iowa.  Visitation begins after 11:00 am Thursday, November 11, 2010 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Memorials are suggested to the Public Health Department at the Greene County Medical Center or the Salem United Methodist Church in Paton.

Leo Peter Thomsen, son of Peter Thomsen and Katharina Hagge Thomsen, was born October 4, 1910 at the family farm near Paton, Iowa.  He was the oldest of 8 children.  Leo married Bernice Anderson on March 23, 1940 at her family home.  They became the parents of two daughters, Mary and Judy.

Leo farmed near Paton for 17 years.  In 1957 he began working for the Federal North Iowa Elevator.  He transferred to the Sexton, Iowa Elevator in 1962 and stayed there until 1969 when he returned to Paton and worked at the Lanyon Elevator.  Leo retired in 1975.

Leo was an active member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Paton.  He served on many church committees.  All through his life, Leo enjoyed wood working and was a skilled carpenter.  His projects ranged from bird feeders and bird houses to remodeling homes.  Leo and his wife, Bernice, were great gardeners who shared the bounty of their efforts with others.  During their retirement years, Leo and Bernice enjoyed traveling throughout the United States.   For a number of years Leo was the primary care giver for Bernice until her death in 1988.  In 1990, Leo moved to Jefferson where he recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Leo gave generously of his time and talents.  He was an honest, quiet, hardworking man who will be missed by his family and many friends. 

Leo was preceded in death by wife Bernice; his parents; a sister Hazel and her husband Wilbur Anderson; a brother Kenneth “Ted” Thomsen; brother-in-law Eldon Owens; two infant brothers and two infant sisters. 

He is survived by his daughters Mary Tucker of Sioux City, Iowa, and Judy and Misael Lopez of McFarland, Wisconsin; sister Helen Owens of Jefferson, Iowa; sister-in-law Betty Thomsen of Jefferson, Iowa; grandchildren: Matt Tucker and Lisa Stone of Woburn, Massachusetts; Brad Tucker and Lindsay Clark of Winona, Minnesota; Cesar and Sarah Lopez of Oregon, Wisconsin; Antonio Lopez and Marisa Lopez both of Madison, Wisconsin; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.