William M. Leifeld

William M. Leifeld
1925 — 2018
Longtime Petersburg business and community leader, William M. Leifeld, age 92, died Tuesday, October 2, 2018. A lifelong resident of Petersburg, he owned Leifeld Hardware before retiring in 1987.
Bill was known by many children as the “Lemon-Drop Man” because he handed each youngster a lemon drop from the ever-present packet of candy in his shirt pocket. He was an avid outdoor enthusiast, well-known for his love of fishing, hunting and taxidermy. He also enjoyed collecting coins, particularly filling coin books for his nine grandchildren. During his lifetime, he was active in the community and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
He was a charter member and past president of the Petersburg Commercial Club, was president of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Holy Name Society and was a member of the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department. In the 1950’s he was assistant director of the Petersburg Housing Authority and called square dances.
Bill was born Oct. 6, 1925, in Petersburg, where he grew up, and graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Petersburg.
On Nov. 8, 1949, he married Berneda Adeline Pelster. They were married for 69 years. She survives him. Other survivors include three sons, Ron (Ellen), Alva, Fla.; Jim (Jennifer), Petersburg; Ken (Angie), Humphrey; two sisters, Darlene “Dolly” (Feller) Baker, Neligh; and Lorraine Rosane, North Platte; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Julia (Julich) Leifeld; brother, Valentine; sisters, Eileen (Bim) Froloff, Wilma (Denny) Davis, Gladys Leifeld and Evelyn Leifeld.
Visitation was held Friday, Oct. 5, from 6-7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 6, at the church with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz and Deacon John Starman officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery Maintenance Fund.
Levander Funeral Home in Albion is in charge of arrangements.