Because Leonard was such a great planner, he thoughtfully wrote his obituary: Leonard Ray Anderson, 78, of Columbus, was born on June 22, 1942, in Wahoo, to Marion D. Anderson and Carl L. Nielsen. He spent his early years in the Ceresco area, where he was privileged to spend a couple of years attending a rural school. He left this earthly life on May 21, 2021, and "hopefully" entered the heavenly one.
He began a new era of life in Wilcox, Nebraska, in 1950, attending a brand new school graduating there in 1960. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Wilcox in 1956.
The next four years were in the Air Force with basic training in San Antonio, Texas, schooling in Biloxi, Miss., followed by tours of duty in Altus, Okla. and Bellevue, Nebraska.
After that came schooling in Aurora, Ill., at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. Impatience and the chance for larger paychecks led to being a truck stop manager in Gary, Ind. and delivering gasoline in the Chicago area.
Big city burnout and a desire for good old Nebraska led him back there, where he spent time as a truck driver and plumber before finally settling down to a John Deere career.
After a couple of years in Holdrege as a truck driver, it was on to York for more of the same until a demotion to sales which lasted until attempted retirement. Part-time work at WY-AD Utility Contractors lasted many years, along with several other enjoyable jobs and some volunteer work. However, most of his time was spent catching up with a great family, which he missed with all the "away time"!
He became a "Husker Fanatic" long before Bob Devaney came along and made winning a tradition and expectation. This carried on to most Husker sports but mostly football and volleyball. There were almost enough great times to override the bad years. There were many years of being a NASCAR fan and becoming an antique tractor fanatic as a member of the SYA Tractor Club.
Leonard and Jeanne were long-time members of the Baptist-Congregational Church until its closing, and after visiting several churches, became members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of York.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Shawn Anderson; parents, George and Marion Garrelts; brothers, Richard and Gary Garrelts; brother-in-laws, Gary and Myron Moural along with many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his "super wife", Jeanne; son, Mike Anderson of Roanoke, Texas; daughters, Christine (Jeff) Rumery of Omaha, Jeanne (Ray) Anderson of Denver, Colo. and Carey (Mark) Bonifas of Sidney, Ohio; grandchildren, Cole and Alec (Vanessa) Williams, Kelsey Seifert, Alecs and Ashlee Rumery, Ian and Andrew Bonifas; four great-grandchildren; sister, Bernita (Chuck) Hagadon; brother-in-law, Dennis (Kathy) Moural and numerous other relatives and friends.
Leonard has donated his body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska, hoping they can learn from his medical experiences. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in York.
He began a new era of life in Wilcox, Nebraska, in 1950, attending a brand new school graduating there in 1960. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Wilcox in 1956.
The next four years were in the Air Force with basic training in San Antonio, Texas, schooling in Biloxi, Miss., followed by tours of duty in Altus, Okla. and Bellevue, Nebraska.
After that came schooling in Aurora, Ill., at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. Impatience and the chance for larger paychecks led to being a truck stop manager in Gary, Ind. and delivering gasoline in the Chicago area.
Big city burnout and a desire for good old Nebraska led him back there, where he spent time as a truck driver and plumber before finally settling down to a John Deere career.
After a couple of years in Holdrege as a truck driver, it was on to York for more of the same until a demotion to sales which lasted until attempted retirement. Part-time work at WY-AD Utility Contractors lasted many years, along with several other enjoyable jobs and some volunteer work. However, most of his time was spent catching up with a great family, which he missed with all the "away time"!
He became a "Husker Fanatic" long before Bob Devaney came along and made winning a tradition and expectation. This carried on to most Husker sports but mostly football and volleyball. There were almost enough great times to override the bad years. There were many years of being a NASCAR fan and becoming an antique tractor fanatic as a member of the SYA Tractor Club.
Leonard and Jeanne were long-time members of the Baptist-Congregational Church until its closing, and after visiting several churches, became members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of York.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Shawn Anderson; parents, George and Marion Garrelts; brothers, Richard and Gary Garrelts; brother-in-laws, Gary and Myron Moural along with many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his "super wife", Jeanne; son, Mike Anderson of Roanoke, Texas; daughters, Christine (Jeff) Rumery of Omaha, Jeanne (Ray) Anderson of Denver, Colo. and Carey (Mark) Bonifas of Sidney, Ohio; grandchildren, Cole and Alec (Vanessa) Williams, Kelsey Seifert, Alecs and Ashlee Rumery, Ian and Andrew Bonifas; four great-grandchildren; sister, Bernita (Chuck) Hagadon; brother-in-law, Dennis (Kathy) Moural and numerous other relatives and friends.
Leonard has donated his body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska, hoping they can learn from his medical experiences. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in York.
Because Leonard was such a great planner, he thoughtfully wrote his obituary: Leonard Ray Anderson, 78, of Columbus, was born on June 22, 1942, in Wahoo, to Marion D. Anderson and Carl L. Nielsen. He spent his early years in the Ceresco area, where he was privileged to spend a couple of years attending a rural school. He left this earthly life on May 21, 2021, and "hopefully" entered the heavenly one.
He began a new era of life in Wilcox, Nebraska, in 1950, attending a brand new school graduating there in 1960. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Wilcox in 1956.
The next four years were in the Air Force with basic training in San Antonio, Texas, schooling in Biloxi, Miss., followed by tours of duty in Altus, Okla. and Bellevue, Nebraska.
After that came schooling in Aurora, Ill., at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. Impatience and the chance for larger paychecks led to being a truck stop manager in Gary, Ind. and delivering gasoline in the Chicago area.
Big city burnout and a desire for good old Nebraska led him back there, where he spent time as a truck driver and plumber before finally settling down to a John Deere career.
After a couple of years in Holdrege as a truck driver, it was on to York for more of the same until a demotion to sales which lasted until attempted retirement. Part-time work at WY-AD Utility Contractors lasted many years, along with several other enjoyable jobs and some volunteer work. However, most of his time was spent catching up with a great family, which he missed with all the "away time"!
He became a "Husker Fanatic" long before Bob Devaney came along and made winning a tradition and expectation. This carried on to most Husker sports but mostly football and volleyball. There were almost enough great times to override the bad years. There were many years of being a NASCAR fan and becoming an antique tractor fanatic as a member of the SYA Tractor Club.
Leonard and Jeanne were long-time members of the Baptist-Congregational Church until its closing, and after visiting several churches, became members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of York.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Shawn Anderson; parents, George and Marion Garrelts; brothers, Richard and Gary Garrelts; brother-in-laws, Gary and Myron Moural along with many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his "super wife", Jeanne; son, Mike Anderson of Roanoke, Texas; daughters, Christine (Jeff) Rumery of Omaha, Jeanne (Ray) Anderson of Denver, Colo. and Carey (Mark) Bonifas of Sidney, Ohio; grandchildren, Cole and Alec (Vanessa) Williams, Kelsey Seifert, Alecs and Ashlee Rumery, Ian and Andrew Bonifas; four great-grandchildren; sister, Bernita (Chuck) Hagadon; brother-in-law, Dennis (Kathy) Moural and numerous other relatives and friends.
Leonard has donated his body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska, hoping they can learn from his medical experiences. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in York.
He began a new era of life in Wilcox, Nebraska, in 1950, attending a brand new school graduating there in 1960. He was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Wilcox in 1956.
The next four years were in the Air Force with basic training in San Antonio, Texas, schooling in Biloxi, Miss., followed by tours of duty in Altus, Okla. and Bellevue, Nebraska.
After that came schooling in Aurora, Ill., at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. Impatience and the chance for larger paychecks led to being a truck stop manager in Gary, Ind. and delivering gasoline in the Chicago area.
Big city burnout and a desire for good old Nebraska led him back there, where he spent time as a truck driver and plumber before finally settling down to a John Deere career.
After a couple of years in Holdrege as a truck driver, it was on to York for more of the same until a demotion to sales which lasted until attempted retirement. Part-time work at WY-AD Utility Contractors lasted many years, along with several other enjoyable jobs and some volunteer work. However, most of his time was spent catching up with a great family, which he missed with all the "away time"!
He became a "Husker Fanatic" long before Bob Devaney came along and made winning a tradition and expectation. This carried on to most Husker sports but mostly football and volleyball. There were almost enough great times to override the bad years. There were many years of being a NASCAR fan and becoming an antique tractor fanatic as a member of the SYA Tractor Club.
Leonard and Jeanne were long-time members of the Baptist-Congregational Church until its closing, and after visiting several churches, became members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of York.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Shawn Anderson; parents, George and Marion Garrelts; brothers, Richard and Gary Garrelts; brother-in-laws, Gary and Myron Moural along with many other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his "super wife", Jeanne; son, Mike Anderson of Roanoke, Texas; daughters, Christine (Jeff) Rumery of Omaha, Jeanne (Ray) Anderson of Denver, Colo. and Carey (Mark) Bonifas of Sidney, Ohio; grandchildren, Cole and Alec (Vanessa) Williams, Kelsey Seifert, Alecs and Ashlee Rumery, Ian and Andrew Bonifas; four great-grandchildren; sister, Bernita (Chuck) Hagadon; brother-in-law, Dennis (Kathy) Moural and numerous other relatives and friends.
Leonard has donated his body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska, hoping they can learn from his medical experiences. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in York.
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