Leo Kanter

December 31, 1927 - September 18, 2020

Leo H. Kanter, 92, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2020, and joined his beloved wife and daughter in heaven. He will be remembered as a faithful Christian; gracious gentleman; devoted husband; and exemplary father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Leo was born on December 31, 1927, in Jacob, Illinois. He enlisted and proudly served three years in the United States Army. On December 22, 1949, Leo married Gladys Haubein, and they shared over 61 years of love and devotion. Following their move to Evansville, Leo attended Lockyear Business College and graduated from the University of Evansville in 1953. He began a successful career in sales and real estate, establishing his home improvement business in 1955. Leo became a leader in the kitchen and bath industry, and expanded his company product lines to include DuPont CORIAN, laminate surface countertops, and designer cabinetry. He retired as president of ELKO, Inc. in 2001. Leo was a charter member of the Evansville Eastside Lions Club and Sertoma Club and was active for over twenty years in Toastmasters International. For his dedicated efforts to Toastmasters, Leo received the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Many interests during his lifetime included photography, golf, drawing, traveling, word power, and genealogy. As a WWII veteran, his trips to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, were memorable experiences. Leo was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sebring, Florida, where he served as elder. While in Evansville, Leo attended Redeemer Lutheran Church and served twice as president of the congregation. He was a man of faith, a devout Christian, a baptized and confirmed Lutheran, who believed in the power of prayer. Leo fully trusted in God’s promises and looked forward to his eternal home. Leo was preceded in death by his wife Gladys; daughter TerriJo; parents Ben and Frieda Kranawetter; and siblings Albert, Cecile, Roland, Marie, and Reuben. Surviving Leo are his children, Brenda Turpin (Wayne) and Randall Kanter (Teresa); five grandchildren: Dr. Matthew Kanter (Nicole), Dr. Mark Turpin (Dr. Krystina), Lindsey Gruenwald (Rev. David), Jordan Kanter (Allison), and Joshua Kanter; and four great-grandchildren. Leo is also survived by his sisters Nelda Arbeiter, Mathilda Luckey, and Cordell Kirn; a brother Erwin Kranawetter; and nieces and nephews. The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Karl Sash and his staff and also to the compassionate caregivers at Walnut Creek. Due to the COVID pandemic, there will be no visitation. A memorial service celebrating Leo’s life will be held at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 10 a.m. with the Reverend David Gruenwald officiating. While the family welcomes your presence at the service, we encourage you to consider attending via the livestream on Ziemer Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page beginning twenty minutes before the service. Private interment with military honors will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 2740 Lakeview Drive, Sebring, Florida, 33870, or to Evansville Lutheran School, 111 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, Indiana, 47711. Condolences can be made online at ziemerfuneralhome.com.