Leo Kvapil, age 88, lifelong resident and farmer of rural River Falls died peacefully Friday, November 26th at Comforts of Home in River Falls. Leo was born on July 27, 1933 at the homestead in River Falls Township; the son of Joseph C. and Emilie (Andrle) Kvapil. He attended the Donegal Country School in Cherma.  He farmed with his brother Gary in Cherma his entire life. As life slowed down, they moved into town at Comforts of Home in River Falls. He was a devout Catholic as a member of St Martin’s Cherma and then St. Mary’s Big River before becoming a member of St. Bridget’s when they moved into town. From his younger years as an acolyte up until his death, he lived as an ambassador to Christ. As a young man, he would start up the fire furnaces for the Donegal School and St. Martin’s Church so they were all set once people arrived. His caring ways led him to be a lifelong caregiver for his autistic sister and later his mother as her health declined.  His deep appreciation for family and faith inspired him to be caretaker for the Cherma Cemetery as he maintained the cemetery for many years. His soft spot in his heart made him a perfect fit for the well being of all the farm animals, including cats, geese, and rabbits. He also enjoyed gardening and sharing and selling his veggie produce.

Leo is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Bernice Hildebrandt, Dorothy Ritschel, Helen Kvapil, infant brother Roy; brothers-in-law John Hildebrandt, Jim Ritschel, and Edward Brenner. He is survived by his brother Gary Kvapil; sister Loretta Brenner; and many special nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial for Leo Kvapil will be 2:30 pm, Wednesday December 1st at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls.  Burial will be in the Cherma Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at St. Bridget’s. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls.