Leone C. (Bahrke) Vorpahl, 90, of Eau Claire, passed away Monday, January 28, 2013. She was surrounded by her adoring family at Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire. Lee was born on June 15, 1922, in Allenville, WI, to George and Clarice (Helgeson) Bahrke. Lee lost her mother at the age of 11, and her father at the age of 17. Despite her and her five siblings being split up and raised in different households, Lee persevered. She put herself through nursing school and graduated from the 26th class at Mercy School of Nursing in Oshkosh, WI. Following her graduation, she joined the Army in 1944, and served in the Pacific Theater, as a nurse. In the winter of 1946, Lee met the love of her life, Robert J. Vorpahl. Lee and Bob were married on September 13, 1947. Lee and Bob raised six children, and were actively involved in their children's activities, including scouts, sports and family vacations, as well as working as a Registered Nurse at Luther Hospital. Lee and Bob were snowbirds, and spent 20 winters in Chandler, AZ. Lee and Bob traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Japan, and Alaska together, and participated in the Buckshot Run every year. Lee loved the Packers and the Brewers (when they were winning), playing cards, gardening, and spending time with her grandkids. Leone is survived by her six children, Robert (Beth), John, Richard (Ann), Jeffrey (Sue), Thomas (Julie), Jean (Jim) Allie; seventeen grandchildren, Stephanie, David, Sarah, Ellen, Steve, Mike, Mary, Danny, Brian, Mark, Kelly, Carrie, Elizabeth, Robert, Kaitlin, Sam & Malissa; one great-grandchild, Isaiah; two brothers, Harold Bahrke and Milton (Marcy) Bahrke; a sister, June (Ray) Breaker; and two sisters-in-law, Mona Bahrke and Dorothy Vorpahl. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert; her parents; brother, George "Jack" Bahrke; sister, Gladys (Willmer) Borchardt; sister-in-law, Carol Bahrke, and a brother-in-law, William Vorpahl. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at First Lutheran Church, 1005 Oxford Ave. in Eau Claire, with Pastor Lowell Halvorson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 53 following the service.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703