Peter James Leder, 80

Peter James Leder, 80, of Stevens Point, died peacefully on Aug. 1, 2025.

He was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Wisconsin Rapids to the late Robert and Nila Leder. Pete graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from UW-Stevens Point in 1966 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He proudly achieved an Expert Marksmanship medal in basic training just hours after leaving the hospital with an illness. He served in Germany for two years.

Upon returning home to Wisconsin Rapids, he met the love of his life, Linda (née Jackson), and they recently celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Pete’s career began at Sentry Insurance, where he discovered his passion for sales. In 1982, he pursued his dream of owning a small business, becoming co-owner of Kostka Insurance (later Westland Insurance) in downtown Stevens Point. He worked alongside Linda for 25 years before retiring.

Pete’s love of the outdoors and hunting was legendary. He spent countless hours at “The Palace,” where he hunted turkey, deer, ducks and geese with family and friends. He engaged in a longtime battle of wills with the wily porcupines who repeatedly tried to eat his log cabin. He also looked forward to annual fishing trips to Lake Erie with his closest friends and his weekly trapshooting league, where he often outshot younger teammates.

A highlight of his early family years was camping at Haverkampfs in St. Germain, where he created lasting memories with his children around the campfire, on the fishing boat, and in the adjacent bar.

Pete will be remembered for his loud laugh, long drawn-out stories, terrible country music, never missing a basketball game, Brandy Manhattans with a little cherry juice, jambalaya in the Dutch oven, morning reveille when waking up his children, ripped camo T-shirts on Fleet Farm runs, and using his granddaughters as perfume testers while shopping for Linda each Christmas.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Wendy (Paul) Schlaefer of Rudolph, Chad (Katy) Leder of Appleton, and Dustin (Alina) Leder of Appleton; and his six grandchildren, Kelly, Erin, Judd, and JT Schlaefer, and Nate and Matt Leder.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Boston Funeral Home, 1649 Briggs St., and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1919 Wyatt St. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Pastor Steve Hulke officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, 3001 Patch St. A luncheon will be held afterward at Sky Club Supper Club, 2202 Post Road, Plover.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran School, 1919 Wyatt St., Stevens Point; Time of Grace Ministry, P.O. Box 301, Milwaukee, WI 53201; or Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 225780 Rib Mountain Dr. #234, Wausau, WI 54401.

Condolences may be offered at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.