Leo “Sam” Martin Kane Jr.
Leo “Sam” Martin Kane Jr., 87, Boyd, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Oakbrook Nursing Home in Thorp, with family at his side, in care of Hope Hospice.
Sam was born at home on the farm Sept. 2, 1934, to Leo and Margaret (Brunner) Kane Sr.
He was the ninth of 17 children. The family lived on a farm just outside of Cadott.
Having such a large family, there were always great stories to tell. Sam’s sister, Grace, told us Sam would go out and get the cows in for milking time, for a penny. Teddy said Sam would sled down the barn hill and the goat would chase after him.
Sam grew up and met his first wife, Barbara, and had seven children – four boys and three girls. He enjoyed working hard, he worked for Bob Josifek (farming and field work). Sam also worked for Cloverbelt Farms in Jim Falls, and worked at the Jim Falls Dairy and worked with his brother, Francis, in construction and logging.
He enjoyed playing cards, going to auctions, hunting, playing baseball and softball, and watching the Green Bay Packers football games. Sam and his son, Leo, had the TV on, on game day and no one could make a sound until Green Bay got a touchdown, then Sam and Leo made all kinds of noise; those were good times.
As his sons grew up, he also taught them how hunting for deer could be a good sport for them, bringing home a buck was worth being in the cold. Sam took Dave to Cloverbelt Farms to work with him on the farm and in the fields.
Sam had a saying about work and money, his kids knew if you’re getting paid 20 cents an hour, or $20 an hour, when you go to work, make sure you work hard for your paycheck, make sure you earn it.
In closing, Sam loved a cold one or two after work, a Walters beer or a Brandy Coke, sometimes, a few too many, then a good bar fight, but that was Sam, making things interesting and more stories to tell, and a good laugh. God bless and miss you!
He is survived by his wife – Peggy Totsky; sons – Dave Kane Sr., Leo (Missy) Kane III and Brian Kane; daughters – Loretta Holland and Debra Lewis; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; siblings – Patrick, Theodore “Ted,” Grace, Martha and Catherine; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Leo and Margaret Kane Sr.; son –James Kane; daughter – Tracy Kane; granddaughter – Jennifer; siblings – Paul, Joseph “Pete,” John, George, Francis, Christopher, Mary, Lucy, Sister Mary “Rose,” Josephine and Theresa.
A service of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 3, at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott, with Deacon Ned Willkom officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Bohemian National Cemetery in the Town of Arthur.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m., until the time of service, at the funeral home.
