Leo N. Goche

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St.Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Leo Nicholas Goche, age 91 of St. Cloud who passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Reverend Alan Wielinski will officiate. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Wadena.
Family and friends may call after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Leo was born on June 8, 1920 in Verndale, Minnesota, son of the late Nicholas and Rose Goche. He was a graduate of St. Cloud teachers’ College in 1940 and was awarded a Master’s degree in Russian Studies from Columbia University in New York City in 1954. He also completed a Master’s degree in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC in 1960. Leo was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army in field artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1943. He was trained as a Russian Language Specialist for the Defense Intelligence Agency. Leo subsequently rose to the rank of Colonel and proudly served his country during numerous postings around the world from Alaska to the Pentagon and from California to Moscow. He was awarded campaign ribbons for service in armed conflicts of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. As a young Captain, he participated in the famed 2nd Infantry “Warrior” Division’s historic battles at Kunu-Ri Pass in Korea in sub-zero weather on Thanksgiving weekend in 1950. He directed American counterattacks of the Communists’ Tet Offensive in Saigon in January 1968. Because of his experience and reputation, he was selected by the Army to serve as military attaché on Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff at the Paris Peace Accords.
Leo is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Annabelle; and three daughters, Patricia A. Newell (James) of Black River, NY, Margaret Pogatchnik (Thomas) of Monticello, MN and Theresa M. Goche of St. Cloud, MN. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin and Elmer; and his son, Daniel Leo.
Those wishing to do so, please consider memorials to the Disabled American Veterans.