Richard Lee Letsch, 91, of Luray, Kansas, passed away Sunday morning, May 3, 2015 at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas.

Richard was born March 23, 1924 on a farm southeast of Luray, Kansas, the son of Charles and Julia (Steinle) Letsch.  He grew up north of Luray and graduated from Luray High School.

Richard served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He served in the Pacific Theater on the U.S.S. Rotanion Aircraft Carrier.  After the war, he returned to the Luray area.

Richard was united in marriage to Cecilia “Sally” Boden on June 8, 1948 in Osborne, Kansas.  This union was blessed with three children; Shirley, Ronald and Dennis.  They made their home north of Luray until 1958 when they moved close to town.  Cecilia preceded him in death on December 25, 2000.

Richard has been a farmer his whole life.  He was an owner and operator of the Letsch Custom Harvesting for over 23 years.  He covered areas in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.  He also worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation in the maintenance department for a few years in the early 1970’s.  He drove the school bus for USD 407 in Luray for over 24 years.  He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Russell and was a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus.  He was a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, the Russell Elks Lodge and the Luray American Legion Post.  He enjoyed square dancing and was a member of the Levis & Lace Dancing group.

Surviving family include his two sons; Ronald Letsch (Glenna)  and Dennis Letsch (Jeannine DeWitt) all of Luray, Kansas; five sisters, Edna Thomas and Vera Musgrove both of Salina, Kansas, Doris Richardson of Liberal, Kansas, Fern Parker of Crestview, Florida and Betty Nelson of Holten, Kansas; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Shirley Casper, two brothers, Duane Letsch and George Letsch, and two sisters, Rosie Gariepy and Frances Krobalth.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 7, 2015 at St. Mary’s, Queen of Angels Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Wednesday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  Vigil & Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday at St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church.  Memorials have been established with St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Luray Legion Building Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.