12/23/1938 – 12/28/2018
Leroy was born on his family’s small Nebraska Sandhills farm in a 2 bedroom farmhouse without indoor plumbing and heated by a wood stove.
His youth was spent outdoors running up and down hills rounding up cattle, horses and pigs. Crop planting was done behind a team of horses or a small tractor. He soon learned the value and developed the skill to fix farm equipment, cars and just about anything that could be taken apart.
Running hills made him strong and quick enough to win several medals for Albion High School which earned him spots on the starter blocks at Nebraska State Track and Field Tournament.
Right out of high school he enlisted in the Air Force to see new hills and vistas around the world as an airplane instrument specialist. He sent most of his paychecks back to the farm to support his parents.
During his enlistment he met a red headed nursing student, Norma Jean Martin, in Lincoln NE whom he married December 31 1960.
Babies soon arrived, David, Heidi, and Steven.
Two grandkids, Wesley and Daniel, brought great joy and an opportunity to teach a new generation the skill and fun of tinkering with stuff.
Leroy settled into a long career as a machinist and tool & die specialist, all the while buying, fixing and selling cars on the side. He had no time for watching tv or reading books.
Looking for a new career and a learning opportunity for his children , he bought Handyman Supply Hardware store. His natural talent of talking, fixing, and selling soon created a busy small business.
He and Norma moved out of Omaha to the Loess hills of Iowa to be closer to nature and a country life. They enjoyed this life for 20 years.
Knowing in later years it would be hard to manage a country acreage, he moved back to Omaha to spend his later years gardening, attending auctions, making friends and conversing with old ones.
Attending family gatherings and storytelling about Rieck, Johnson and Ayers family histories were great fun for him.
Leroy kept his legs moving to the end, always believing there will be better deals just over the next hill.
No Visitation, Funeral Mass Wednesday (1/2/19) 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Catholic Church 114th & Fort Street, Omaha, NE. Memorials to Josie Harper Hospice House.
