Leo Buechler, 84, of Willmar, formerly of Litchfield, died Tuesday, May 13 at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar. His funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 16 at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org.
 Leo Earl Buechler, the son of Heinrich “Henry” and Margaret (Luithle) Buechler was born on August 27, 1940, on the family farm in Bowdle, S.D.
 After graduating from Ipswich High School in 1958, Leo served in the United States Navy until 1961. On December 11, 1965, Leo married Julie Nelson at First Baptist Church in Ipswich, S.D.
 In 1980, Leo and Julie moved to Litchfield where Leo worked at Cenex and later Litchfield Precision Components until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, golfing, grilling, and growing roses.
 Leo is survived by his children Craig Buechler of Alexandria, and Patti (Neil) Portner of Coal Valley, Ill.; grandchildren: Michael (Kelsey) Buechler, Kayli (Luke) McCann, Preston Buechler, Kyle Portner, and Jarod Portner; great-grandchildren: Braxtyn, Briggs, and Berkeley Buechler, Caleb and Macy McCann. He is also survived by his sisters: Ella Stotz, Wilma Wolff, Linda (Jimmy) Toller, DeAnne (Richard) Weber and sister-in-law Deloras Buechler.
 He was preceded in death by his wife Julie; his parents Henry and Margaret; his in-laws Raymond and Elsie Nelson; his daughter-in-law Kelly Buechler; and siblings Eleanor Opp Gross, Ervin Buechler, Harvey Buechler, and Calvin Buechler.