DARIEN - Leland William Schauer, of Darien, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at the age of 99.
He was born August 6, 1926, in New Franken, Wisconsin, to the late Killian and Myrtle (Leanna) Schauer. Leland graduated from Delavan High School in May 1944. He worked as an electrical assembler at Thomas B. Gibbs before entering the U.S. Army. He served during World War II from October 1944 through November 1946 with the 127th Infantry 32nd Division, including service in the Philippines and Japan. His military honors included the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan).
Through his sister Colleen, Leland met Beatrice Hernandez while she and Colleen were in nurses training at St. Anthony’s hospital in Rockford, IL. On September 8, 1951, he married Beatrice at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fond du Lac, WI. They made their home and raised their eight children at the family farm in Darien, WI, where Leland lived since the age of six. Leland ran a dairy farm before transitioning to crop farming. He was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and a past member of the Knights of Columbus and National Farmer's Organization, as well as American Legion Post #95. After retirement, he became an avid reader, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, and loved spending time with his family. Lee was a devoted fan of The Lawrence Welk Show. Just weeks before his passing he still exercised daily, including a 30-minute walk, bicep curls, and wall push-ups. When asked his secret to longevity, he would say “you have to pick the right parents” since his own mother died just four months short of 100.
Leland is survived by his wife, Beatrice; eight children: Jeanne (Philip) Allen of Delavan, Anthony Schauer of Milwaukee, Jo Ann (Robert) Kiemen of Darien, Richard (April) Schauer of Darien, John (Elizabeth) Schauer of Delavan, Debra (Terry) Pritchett of Delavan, Joseph (Jennifer) Schauer of Madison, and Julie (James) Larson of Elkhorn; his sister, Colleen Terlicker of Lynnwood, Washington; sisters-in-law Josephine Gitto, Rosemary Hernandez, Virginia Reinardy, and Dolores Stack; 23 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Killian (Bub) Schauer; and his sisters, Bernice Swanson and Miriam Stehsel.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, March 27, 2026 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Avenue in Delavan. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Burial with military honors will be held at St. Andrews Cemetery in Delavan. Memorials can be directed to St. Andrews Parish and School.
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