Leo Frank Samek, 88 of Cedar Rapids died Saturday, June 25 ^th 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital. Services will be 10:30 a.m. July 6 ^th , 2005 at Brosh Chapel, Cedar Rapids with Rev. Wayne Adcock from First Congregational Church presiding. Burial with full military honors by the VFW Post 788 will be held in Czech National Cemetery following services. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 5 ^th at Brosh Chapel, Cedar Rapids .

He was born January 23, 1917 in Cedar Rapids , the son of Anton and Anna Vondracek Samek. He graduated from the old Washington High School . He married Leona Novak on September 22, 1948 at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids .

Leo joined the Iowa National Guard and served for three years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945, in the European Theater as a Staff Sergeant with the 634 ^th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.

On November 11, 1945 he joined the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. He worked as a fireman until his retirement in February of 1972. After retiring he was employed by LinkBelt Speeder FMC for many years.

He was a member of First Congregational Church and a member of VFW Post 788. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends.

Survivors include his wife Leona of 56 years; a daughter Renee (Kevin) Kubik of Cedar Rapids; son Gary (Eileen) Samek of Muskegon, Michigan; his grandchildren, Kory and Sean Kubik of Cedar Rapids , Brian Samek of Muskegon , Michigan ; a sister Lillian Janousek of Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Veteran of Foreign War Post 788, 3420 Southgate Place SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 or First Congregational Church, 361 17th Street SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403