Nicholas "Nick" Liesse

Nicholas “Nick” Liesse, 89, of La Salle died August 16, 2017 in OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by his family after a short illness.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday August 26, 2017 in St. Patrick’s Church La Salle with the Very Rev. Paul Carlson officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM Friday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Mr. Liesse was born in Peru on November 16, 1927 to Matthew and Margaret (DeGroot) Liesse. He married Mary Joann Wolfe in St. Patrick’s Church on June 21, 1952. Nick graduated from La Salle-Peru Township High School in 1945. He attended LPO Junior College before being drafted in the US Army where he served for two years.

Nick was a foreman at Airtite Inc. in Dixon for many years as a lather/carpenter. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and Deer Park Country Club. He enjoyed golf and was an avid Cubs, Bears, and Illini fan. His first love was his family and his wife Mary Jo of 65 years. After retirement, he volunteered as a Red Coat for Illinois Valley Community Hospital and along with his wife delivered Meals-on-Wheels for the American RedCross.

Nick is survived by his wife Mary Jo of La Salle; three daughters Pat (Dan) Kubera of Inverness, Julie (Gary) Ryba of Charlotte, NC, and Lynn (Gerry) Clark of St. Louis, MO; two sons Rick (Debra) Liesse of Houston, Tx and Tom Liesse of St. Louis, MO; a daughter-in-law Leaann Liesse of Peoria; fourteen grandchildren Nicholas, Matthew, Richard, Thomas, Adam and James Liesse, Luke Ryba, Billy Clark, Kristyn (Michael) Karasch, Megan Kubera, Nicole (Christopher) Freeman, Elizabeth, Katie and Greta Liesse; one great granddaughter Annabelle Karasch; one sister Lena Ernat of Peru; and three brothers Octave “Archie” Liesse of Milton, WI, August (Pauline) Liesse of Hazelcrest, Elmer (Jeannie) Liesse of Peru; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Bill Liesse, one sister Anna DeFilippi, two brother-in-laws Fred DeFilippi and Richard Ernat, and sister-in-law Peg Liesse.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Memorials may be directed to IVCH Foundation or St. Patrick’s Church, La Salle.

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