Leroy Kallweit, 86 of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 11 at 10:00 AM, at the Federated Church in Columbus with Rev. Edward Yang officiating. Interment with military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard, will be in Fairview Cemetery, Creston, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and continue Thursday from 9:00 AM until service time, all at the church. Memorials are suggested to Federated Church Organ Fund or the donor's choice.

Leroy was born October 19, 1936, in rural Platte County to Herman and Martha (Brunken) Kallweit. He graduated from Creston High School as Valedictorian in 1954. After graduating high school, he turned down a basketball scholarship to Wayne State College to remain in Platte County to farm with his father and brother.

Leroy served active duty at US Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Kansas, from 1955 to 1957 and then was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1962. Leroy was united in marriage on August 21, 1965, to Brenda Gail Boden in Hastings Nebraska. They spent 27 years living on the family farm before moving to Columbus.

Leroy had a love for high school and college sports. He seldom missed any of his children's or grandchildren's sporting events. Sprint car racing ranked high on his list of hobbies, so much so that he was a car owner. He and his family spent many weekends racing at dirt tracks throughout the Midwest. It was through racing that he made many lifelong friendships. In his later years Leroy enjoyed time socializing with his coffee drinking buddies.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda Kallweit of Columbus; his son, Kevin (Denise) Kallweit of Humphrey; daughter, Kerry (Russ) Krings of Platte Center; son Jeffrey Kallweit (Terri Kremer) of Columbus; Jason Kallweit of Columbus; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jared (Megan) Kallweit and Leo of Humphrey; Megan (Colby) Dannelly and Kara of Genoa; Codey (Erica) Kallweit and Chloe and Cooper of Bennington; McKenzie Kallweit of Columbus and Connor Kallweit of Columbus. Honorary racing brother, Gary Swenson of Lincoln; Sisters-in-law, Lenora Kallweit of Columbus and Adele Fox of Columbus; Brothers-in-law, Lyle Alswager of Columbus and Bradley Boden of Hastings; and former daughter-in-law Jennifer Kallweit of Columbus.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Martha Kallweit; brother, Donald Kallweit; sister, Luella Alswager; brothers-in-law Larry Fox and Leonard Richards; sister-in-law, Pamela Richards.

Service Folder Information
Final Harvest

He was bound to the land from the day of his birth
His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth
Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew
And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true.

In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds
In hope, to reach for his family's needs
With patience, he waited for the harvest to come
To gather the fruit of his labor home.

Even turning seasons, the years sped past
Till the final harvest came at last
Then claimed anew by beloved sod
He was gathered home to be with God.

Barbara W. Weber




In Loving Memory Of

Leroy Merle Kallweit

Born
Monday, October 19, 1936
Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Thursday, May 11, 2023 10:00 AM
Federated Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Dr. Edward Yang

Music
Ann Cattau – Accompanist
McKenzie Kallweit & Regan DeBower – Duet - "Amazing Grace"
Rod Baker – Solo - "Lead Me Home"
Congregational Hymn - "How Great Thou Art"

Casket Bearers
Carroll Kallweit
Daryl Kallweit
Gene Loseke
Gene Langenfeld
Bradley Boden
Tim Baumgart
Jed Brunken
David Fox

Honorary Casket Bearers
Jared Kallweit
Codey Kallweit
Connor Kallweit
Megan Dannelly
McKenzie Kallweit
Great Grandchildren

Interment With Military Honors
Fairview Cemetery
Creston, Nebraska
The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard