Obit: Capen, Leon George (1926- 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Capen, Pierce, Vaughn, Humphreys, Chartier, Carter, Weise, Butler, Cary, Weis

----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 3/24/2021

Capen, Leon George (10 December 1926 - 20 March 2021)

Leon George Capen (born 12-10-1926 to Florence Adelaide Capen in Amherst, Massachusetts) and died 3-20-21 at home in rural Marshfield at 94 years of age.

Leon had one brother Charles Pierce and one sister Esther Pierce.

Leon served in the Navy (Sea Bees/Construction Battalion) during WWII and in 1946 he served on the USS Alcor as shop machinist.

May 3, 1947 Leon married Helen M. Vaughan in Guilford, Vermont and lived in Granby and later Belchertown, Massachusetts.

He worked at Fisk/US Rubber (later became UniRoyal) and Atkins Orchard. He also did snow plowing for many customers and occasional odd jobs and took care of 2 cows at his mother’s place.

Leon and Helen had 11 children (Linda, Sally, Gail, April, Karen, Chris, Gary, Robin, Cindy, Clay and Judy),15 grandchildren: Michael Laundry, Tim and Becky Cary, Jason, Matthew and Jacob Humphreys, Andy Chartier, Kem Carter, Athena Capen, Dustin and Terri Weise (Butler), Leon, Mary and Galen Capen, Dena Humphreys; and 10 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

In 1969, Leon and Helen and part of the family moved to Oregon to a small berry farm and worked at an RV manufacturer and did some truck driving.

In 1976, Leon and Helen and part of the family moved to Wisconsin to a small dairy farm near Neillsville.

After the children were grown Leon & Helen took a motor home to Branson and other scenic areas. Eventually, being snowbirds in Arizona.

Preceded in death were his wife Helen, his mother Florence, his brother Charles, 2 daughters - Gail and Linda, his grandson Kem, his great-grandchild Daniel and his son-in-law Peter Cary.

Leon's last years were spent in Rural Marshfield, with Marcella and her family who cared for him like their own family right up to the end. His last desires were to die at home - not in a hospital, not in a nursing home and not falling on the floor. Thanks to the giving care of the Weis family that was possible. We thank them.

Dad was a very loving and caring man. From the exterior, you might think he was a bully, mean and rotten. However, that was his way of trying to keep his children on the straight and narrow. He and Ma worked hard to keep food in our bellies, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads. But he did much more than that. He tried to teach us about life (both the good and bad). He did make us go to church and their activities until the preacher demanded more offerings (money) in the plate.

He was very strict because it was needed with 11 high-spirited children, however he showed his love with the many activities with us…such as boating, fishing, camping and even some with our cousins like softball and kickball. He also made sure we each had a bike.

Yes, he made us work as well. Such as in the garden, mowing lawn, canning, taking care of the pets and some shoveling.

Dad was not perfect by any means. He made mistakes as we all do. However, his heart was always in the right place even as we were being punished.

As he aged he became more mellow and showed his true nature much better. He was still stoic in many ways, but we understood him more than before. He also became more patient and really enjoyed helping others.

He had a positive impact on many people and will be sorely missed by all. May he rest in Heaven and be happy there, as we await our turns to see him again.