Leon was born on June 28, 1936, in Cedar, the son of Michael and Regina (Brzezinski) Galla. On October 31, 1959, at St. Joseph’s Church in Bohemian Valley, he married Loretta Mary Nemeskal and went trick-or-treating later that day. Loretta preceded him in death in 2018 after 58 wonderful years together.

Leon was born at the Galla homestead on Galla Rd in Centerville Township. A hard worker, he attended school until fifth grade and then worked at the family farm to help his parents provide for their children – five daughters were born first, followed by seven sons. He was just 15 years old when he drove south by himself to spend a summer helping other family members on their farms. He was a quick learner, street smart, and learned how to make a buck – taking the opportunity to move five homes out of the National Park Service and selling four of them and keeping the fifth where he and Loretta raised their four sons. He bought land in Cleveland and Kasson Townships and was always proud to have never mortgaged his property. He and Loretta grew strawberries for 20 years and the boys recall having to pick every single weed in the patch and get rid of the stones so buyers would have immaculate rows of well-ripened strawberries for picking. Many years after they closed the strawberry fields, people would stop and ask if their wonderful strawberries were still available. He and Loretta also raised some animals with the kids – beef cattle, a few sheep, goats, ducks, pigs, Shetland ponies, and several dogs. He had a beloved German Shepherd named ‘Rinnie’ who was a great protector of the boys.

He and Loretta had a strong faith and raised their boys in the Catholic faith. Leo would be quick to remind the boys that if they could stay out late on a Saturday, they could certainly get to Church on Sunday. He served as an usher at St. Rita Church for years and was very active helping to plan and attend polka dances at St. Rita’s Hall, attend polka dances years ago at Holy Rosary Church, and at the Cedar Polka Festival. He and Loretta loved to travel to other locations for polka events, and he had many nights when he would turn on polka music in his car and dance with his granddaughters on his paved driveway. In their later years, Leo and Loretta had the opportunity to travel with friends to many locations including Rome, China, Hawaii, Alaska, Frankenmuth, and Branson, Missouri.

Euchre was a favorite card game, and he would play it whenever he had the chance. As one of the early members of the Cedar Hilltoppers Snowmobile Club, he was a regular euchre player and also took part in euchre tournaments held at the Cedar Tavern. Those who played against him will recognize his favorite saying when things weren’t going well: “cotton pickin’ chicken pluckin two-legged Gila monster”! No one knew why he came up with that, but it always brought many laughs. He also liked to try his hand at cards when visiting a casino now and then and had quite a few winning hands.

He celebrated his first granddaughter’s 21st birthday with drinks at the Hilltoppers and again with his next granddaughter in Maple City. A proud grandpa and great grandpa, he loved his family and enjoyed teasing them, playing games, and hearing of their daily events and how they were doing in sports and dance, and were they 1936 ~ 2025

getting good grades in college.

It was a challenge trying to take family photos - Leo made it difficult as he made goofy faces and tried to get everyone to laugh. That is a lasting memory for the family as many photos are filled with silly faces, tongues sticking out, and lots of laughter.

The grand kids have wonderful memories of Christmas in the living room and making grandma and grandpa watch their impromptu dance routines and shows, riding the buggy (golf cart) with Grandpa all through the woods and his fields, playing ball in their front yard, picking asparagus in the garden, listening to polka music, telling jokes, cookouts and corn hole competitions, visits to the pond, and many celebrations.

He was able to remain in his home until a hip injury a few years ago landed him in assisted living. During these later years he enjoyed visits with his family, euchre games with nephews, and many phone calls with family – even teaching one of his granddaughters how to count in polish during their phone calls which resulted in them having to count to five in polish before ending each call. Oddly enough, he ended up in room 5 at the Hospice Home for his final days on this earth.

Leo spent many years working for Grand Traverse Construction, Shugart Builders, Tezak, and Comstock. A self-taught tradesman, he served as project manager of numerous jobs and proudly taught others how to read blueprints, properly lay stone, brick, and block, and all the other tips of the trade he learned during his many years of hard work. Many Friday afternoons, after the week was over and paychecks were handed out, you could find him joining in a game of – what else but euchre, before they headed home for the weekend. He brought two of his sons into the construction industry and taught them well and they also spent many years working for the companies.

Leon is survived by his children, Gary (Trudy) Galla, Greg (Trish Kalchik), and Mark (Deb) Galla; his grandchildren, Tesha, Shannon, Tayler, Sean, Chauntel Danet, Briar Rose, Michael, Max, Carson, and Kaylee; and his great-grandchildren, A’nevaeh, Ava Marie, Iva, Nolan and George. He is also fondly remembered by many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Loretta; his son, Michael Allen Galla; and his siblings, Alvena, Dorothy, Susan, Marie, Esther, Stephen, Paul, Anthony, Walter, John, and Donald. Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 30th from 7:00p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Cedar, with the Rosary prayed at 7:45 p.m. Visitation will also be held starting at 10 am on Thursday, July 31st, with the Funeral Mass celebrated at 11 am, also at Holy Rosary Church. Father Donald Libby will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and a luncheon with the family will be held afterward.

Many thanks to Munson Hospice House for their wonderful care in Leo’s last days. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Munson Hospice House, 450 Brook Street Traverse City MI 49684. For mass intentions, please send to St. Rita Church 8704 Hill St Maple City MI 49664, or Holy Rosary Church 6982 S. Schomberg Rd., Cedar MI 49621.

Please share condolences and memories with Leon’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.