Leo W. Groteluschen, 82, of Leigh Nebraska, died Friday, October 20, 2006 at Arbor Manor in Fremont, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 23, 2006 at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh, Nebraska with Rev. Terry Timm officiating.  Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Leigh with military honors by The American Legion Sucha Post #302 Honor Guard.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at the Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus and continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 AM on Monday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the church.

Leo William Groteluschen was born August 30, 1924 in rural Platte County, Nebraska to William and Freida (Wurdeman) Groteluschen.  He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Leigh.  Leo attended Timber Hill and Zion Lutheran grade schools, and Leigh High School until the age of 17, when he stayed home to farm on the family farm after the death of his father.  When his brother Melvin returned from WWII after their fathers death,  Leo entered the US Army and served from April 1944 to December 1946, stationed in Kobe, Japan for one year.  

Leo returned to the family farm and married Donna M. Andreasen on September 24, 1948 at her parents home in rural St. Edward, Nebraska.  Leo farmed his entire life and continued to live on the family farm after his retirement.  Leo also worked at Behlen Manufacturing, McMullin Transfer, and Columbus Steel.  He worked for Platte County at the time of the construction of Hwy 91 that passed by the farm place.  

Leo was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he had served in several capacities and was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League.  He loved to plant trees, flowers, and build birdhouses and toy barns for the children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed playing cards and domino's.   On Saturday nights he loved to watch Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, and Daniel O'Donnel.

Leo is survived by:

Daughter - Cheryl Slonecker of David City, NE
Daughter - Marla Gernstein of Omaha, NE
Daughter - Darlene Lich of Battle Creek, NE
Son - Lonnie (Terri) Groteluschen of Humphrey, NE
Son - Gary (Joann) Groteluschen of York, NE
Daughter - Jane (Doug) Mynard of Thornton, CO
Daughter - Renee (Steve) Wessel of Fremont, NE
22 Grandchildren
12 Great Grandchildren
Sister - Hilda (Elmer) Went of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Helen Grotelueschen of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law - Doyle (Lois) Andreasen of Genoa, NE
Sister-in-law - Verdeen Gulikson of Lincoln, NE

Leo was preceded in death by:

Parents - William and Frieda Groteluschen

Wife - Donna Groteluschen on December 12, 2001

Son - Leon Groteluschen

Grandson - Nathan Groteluschen

Sister - Ruth Olson

Sister - Verona Ehlers

Brother - Melvin Grotelueschen

SERVICE FOLDER

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So He put his arms around you
And whispered "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes
We watched you suffer
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating
Hardworking hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the BEST.

It's lonesome here without you
We miss you more each day
Life doesn't seem the same
Since you've gone away.

When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong
We seem to hear you whisper
"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture
You seem to smile and say
"Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping
We'll meet again someday!"



In Memory Of

Leo W. Groteluschen

Born
Saturday, August 30, 1924
Rural Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Friday, October 20, 2006
Fremont, Nebraska

Service
Monday, October 23, 2006      10:30 AM
Zion Lutheran Church
Leigh, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Terry Timm

Music
Velda Olson ~ Organist
"Abide With Me"
"Amazing Grace"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
Special Music
"Green, Green Grass Of Home"

Casket Bearers
T.J. Slonecker                     Jason Gernstein
Ian Groteluschen            Joshua Slonecker
Christopher Lich           Ryan Groteluschen
Micah Groteluschen    Justin Groteluschen

Honorary Casket Bearers
Brian Lich                               Curtis Lich
Derrick Lich                        Jeff Robison
Colby Slonecker          Matthew Wessel

Interment
Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Leigh, Nebraska

Military Honors
American Legion Sucha Post #302