Leo Istas
November 5, 1923 ~ June 22, 2019
Leo Istas, 95, of Miller, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Southridge Healthcare in Sioux Falls.
Funeral Mass was held at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial with military honors followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019 with a 7:00 p.m. celebration of life service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Leo was born November 5, 1923 in Marshall, MN to Dora (LaPolice) and Charles Istas. Leo attended Catholic school through 8th grade and graduated from Marshall High School in 1941. He began his work in the Marshall bakery in the 6th grade and worked there until he enlisted in the Navy flight program, June 1942, for flight training. Leo was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant United States Marine Corp September 1943 and graduated Pensacola FL Flight School September 1943.
Leo flew as a fighter pilot flying the loud thunderous Corsair in the South Pacific. He was assigned to Marine squadron VMF 313. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1944 and discharged in November 1945. On December 11, 1944, Leo skipped a bomb across the fast-moving ocean to sink a ship that was bombing McArthur and his men inland; Leo was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in battle.
Upon his arrival home Leo opened a bakery with his brother in Madison, SD from 1946 to 1951 and then expanded their operations to Miller on October 15, 1951; opening Istas Miller Bakery. He and Delores opened the Driftwood Café in 1963. He worked side by side with his wife until the sale of their businesses on September 15, 2001, which was just one-month shy of being open for business for 50 years! The café and bakery represent wonderful times and provide hundreds of stories for those that worked there or stopped by for fresh bread and donuts, homemade peanut brittle, cookies, soups, pies and the list goes on and on. The corner without them has never been the same!
Leo married Delores (Deide) Gussler May 3, 1965, and together they adopted three daughters. Sherri in October 1967, Shirley (Casandra) in January 1970, and Tamera in August 1970. Leo was a member of St. Ann’s church, the Knights of Columbus; where he served as a 4th Degree Knight, American Legion, and VFW, Disabled Veterans of America, and Marine Corp League.
Leo is survived by his sister, Angie (Istas) Nagy; two daughters: Casandra (Stephen) Scales and Tamara Enalls; six grandchildren: Erik Scales, Lindsey Scales, Mason Scales, Elizabeth Enalls, Michael Enalls, and Elijah Fenner.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Istas; daughter, Sherri Istas; parents: Charles and Dora Istas; and siblings: Marie, Margarette, Lucile, Lena, and Melvin.
We wish to thank all of Leo’s friends and family in Miller, SD and the surrounding area for your love and support. Without you, he would not have been able to remain in the home he loved for so many years. Thank you for the visits, coffee, holiday and dinner invitations, basketball and football games, evenings out, food drop offs, trips to Huron, Sioux Falls and everywhere in between. Your generosity, love and support are truly appreciated and will never be forgotten.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Leo’s arrangements.
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Leo will be missed by many. We could always see him sitting in the back pew on Sunday mornings. He will be missed for the peanut brittle that he made. Rest in Peace Leo
Wonderful man worked for them for a few years we had a great time
Fair winds and following seas Uncle Leo.
I am so sorry for your loss. I grew up in Miller. Your Dad was such a nice, caring man. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss.
He was heck of a guy.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Dick and Kathy Splichal
Sorry to hear of Leo's passing . Sympathy to you.
Patty & Delmar Fawcett
He was such a great man. So hard working. Loved his family so much.
Leo was a Blessing to so many people and I’m proud to have been one of them. You will be missed but never forgotten! Love, Voni
Leo was a wonderful uncle to me and my sisters. I'm Melvins youngest daughter and he lived with us when he and dad opened the first bakery in Madison. My thoughts and condolences are with you at this time.
Leo was my first boss. I worked at the Driftwood Cafe as a waitress for several years. I have wonderful memories of Leo and Delores. He was a kind man and very fun to work for. RIP Leo.
WE never went to Miller without having to stop at the driftwood for dinner and the bakery for desert. My favorite was the nutty doughnuts. And at Christmas, the hard carmel and anise candy. Of course EVERYTHING was the best. You'd walk into the bakery and he would appear from the back with a huge smile on his face. I don't think I ever saw him in a bad mood. When they retired it was a sad sad day. Rip in peace Leo.
Loved Leo ! We had many visits and phone conversations over almost 40 years.
Always the latest joke. Stayed with my Family in Omaha a few times on his way to Shirley's ( Casandra ). Made Turtles together. They were. the best. He was a true Christian friend.
I admired him greatly and wished that I could attend his Funeral but we are out of town on a family vacation.
We will be praying for your eternal happiness ( the Rosary of course ) as I know that you are praying for us.
Thanks for serving our country , your model of Fatherhood and your true Faith in God !
God Blessed us with Leo I will miss him tremendously !
Your Friend Keith
We lost a very special person. He was a very generous and gentle soul. I can still hear his laughter and jokes. I thank for all the love he has provided to so many. He will be greatly missed.
Many great memories growing up with the Istas family in Miller. The bakery and the Driftwood were favorite spots. Thank you Leo, for your service to your country and community. My deepest sympathies.
So sorry for the loss of your loved one! Rest In Peace Friend! Scales & Johnson Families
I remember many years of stopping by the Driftwood, Bakery, their house Saturday night to watch videos. Shirley and Dr. Tammy your Dad and Mom were great people. I consider it an honor to have known them. Peanut covered donuts and everything else in the display case were great. He was truly a member of the Greatest Generation.
Darvin Harrell
So saddened to hear of Leo’s passing. I worked at the Driftwood and Leo always had a funny story or joke. Made work so much fun. Saying prayers for all of you at this time. Camille (Schaefers) Dunnick
So sorry to read about Leo. He always had a kind word when I brought Jim into the Ranch to eat. Jim also passed away in the same nursing home. He was only two days in hospice.
May they both rest in peace.
We always loved when Leo and Delores came to visit and they always brought such great treats. Mom and dad( Bud and Bertha Doering) He did my wedding too. He was such a nice gentle man and will be missed.