Leonard John Cimpl was born on October 11, 1924 to Ladislav and Lillian (Hamberger) Cimpl in rural Tabor, South Dakota. He attended school in rural Tabor and Wagner and graduated from Wagner High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Leonard returned home and married Mildred A Schuch on May 28, 1951 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Tabor, South Dakota. He owned and operated Cimpl's Market and ¬Cimpl Feed and Grain. Leonard's love for Tabor was shown through his many years as a Trustee and Chairman of the Tabor Town Board. He was active in many church and community organizations. His Czech heritage was an important part of his life. He and Mildred loved Czech Days and Leonard was chairperson of the annual event for several years. Leonard was also a member and officer in the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183. He loved the game of baseball and was extremely honored when the Tabor baseball park was named Leonard Cimpl Field. Leonard's Catholic faith, instilled by his parents, was lived out through his participating in various volunteer ministries for St. Wenceslaus Parish throughout the years. Leonard was a person who lived by his priorities; his love for his God, wife, family, Church, country and community.
Leonard is survived by his two sons, Fr. Chuck Cimpl (Sioux Falls, SD) and Joe Cimpl (Tabor, SD), one daughter, Sue (Mike) Stoll (Yankton, SD); 4 grandchildren: Selina Cimpl (Kansas City, MO) Beth (Casey) Van Beek (Sioux Falls, SD), Scott Stoll (Sioux Falls, SD) and Tyler Stoll (Yankton, SD) ; 2 great grandchildren: Oliver and Harper Van Beek (Sioux Falls, SD); his two brothers, John A. Cimpl (Yankton, SD) and Donald (Joan) Cimpl, (Omaha, NE); two sisters-in-law, Mildred M. Cimpl (Columbus, NE) and Anne Shaw (Broomfield, CO) and many nieces and nephews.
Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, his parents; his brothers, Laddie (Doris) Cimpl, Jim (Roma) Cimpl and Emanuel Cimpl; his sister, Angeline (Hayes) Balvin and his sister-in-law, Darlene Cimpl.
In lieu of flowers, Leonard and his family request that memorials be directed to St. Wenceslaus Church, 205 N Lidice Street, Tabor, SD 57063 or to the Town of Tabor/Leonard Cimpl Field Upkeep Fund, PO Box 146, Tabor SD 57063