Leon G. Waters -- Zumbro Falls

Published January 05, 2019 at 2:00 PM

Leon G. Waters, age 95, of Zumbro Falls, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

Leon George Waters was born Sept. 12, 1923, in Buffalo, Minn., the son of Thomas and Cecile (Hayes) Waters. He graduated from Buffalo High School and entered in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed in California during WWII.

While in California, he met his future wife, Ruth Herdt, and they were married in Glendale, Calif., on April 6, 1948. In 1949, they returned to Minnesota on his Harley Davidson and eventually settled in Crystal, Minn. Leon worked as a watchmaker in Crystal and Minneapolis. In 1991, Leon and Ruth moved to Zumbro Falls. After his retirement, he helped his son with lawn mowing at Bluff Valley Campground. Leon enjoyed gardening, mowing lawn, canoeing, and reading. He was an active member of Zumbro Community Church.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Ruth Waters of Zumbro Falls; sons, Nathan Waters of Zumbro Falls, and Charles Waters of Minneapolis; daughter, Evelyn Strasbaugh of Crumpler, N.C.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Esther (Rollie) Reasoner of Cambridge, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Timothy Waters; daughter-in-law, Laura Waters; and brothers, Clifford and Howard Waters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester are honored to be serving the Waters family; special memories or condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.