Rickey Lee Greenleaf, age 63, of Beaver Dam, WI and formerly of Harvey, MI, passed away peacefully surround by his family and friends on Nov. 1, 2014 at UW Hospital in Madison, WI. Rick was born October 15, 1951 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Marquette, MI to Bill and Doris (Shouldice) Greenleaf.
Rick graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1969. In 1970 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines. After completing the Machine Tool program at Area Training Center in Marquette, MI he moved to Wisconsin. Rick first worked for Chrysler, in Hartford, WI and then transferred to the Chrysler plant in Beaver Dam, WI. In 1972, he went to work for John Deere in Horicon, WI as a Machinist, retiring after 30 years there in 2002. He received his Journeymen’s Machinist card from Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac, WI while working at John Deere.
Rick was an avid hunter and fisherman since his teenage years, enjoying many hours of solitude in the woods. He enjoyed motorcycles and tinkering with projects around the house and in the garage.
Rick is survived by his children, Heather Greenleaf and Ben Greenleaf, both of Beaver Dam; his grandchildren, Makayla Schmidt and Brenden Greenleaf of Beaver Dam; his mother Doris of Marquette, MI; a brother, Barry (Nancy) Greenleaf of Marquette, MI; two sisters Cindy Greenleaf of Inkster, MI and Vicki (Dean) Vanderkolk of Orion, MI; his girlfriend Celine Freeman of Beaver Dam, WI; Celine’s daughter Brie Straseskie of Madison, WI and is further survived by several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Rick was preceded in death by a grandson, Jayden Greenleaf Sorenson; a brother, Sheldon Greenleaf, and his father Bill Greenleaf as well as other relatives.
Honoring Rick’s request, there will be no formal funeral services. Instead the family will have a casual celebration of Rick’s life at the Beaver Dam Conservation Club at W9554 Cty. Rd. G. on Saturday Nov. 8, 2014 from 3 to 7pm.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, WI is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.KoepsellFH.com
