Leonard Dake

Leonard Grant Dake was born June 27, 1922 in 
Wild Rose to Earl Dake (1876-1935)  and Luella 
Morey (1880-1963). His father had a jewelry 
store in Wild Rose. His nickname was "Duck". 
His appearance was mischievous and he had a 
weakness in catching the ball. His saying was 
"who said so." His favorite song was "Drifting 
and Dreaming." He wanted to be in the National 
League. Leonard willed his baseball ability to 
Norman Hoeft and Kenneth Baker. Leonard was 
a catcher on the baseball team as well as one of 
the best hitters in Wild Rose history at that time, 
Leonard enlisted in the US Army Sept. 28, 1942.  
He was 5'7" and weighted 176 pounds. He was 
discharged. He married Marcella Joyce Williams 
(March 16, 1923-Aug. 5, 2015)  on May 29, 
1943 in Wild Rose. Her parents were Griffith 
Elmer Williams (1891-1965) and Emma "Helen: 
Jensen (1898-1987).  He was captured in 
Germany and detained Dec. 20, 1944.  He 
received a Purple heart.  He was released 
May 25, 2945. He was discharged as a corporal 
on Oct. 24, 1945. He drove for the Chicago 
Transit Authority for 39 years and retired in 
1983 when he also moved to Saxeville.  He 
died Aug, 29, 2011 in Appleton, WI. He and 
Marcella are buried in the Hilltop Cemetery in 
Saxeville.