Leonard Leo Austin, 84, of Rural Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, August 03, 2018, at the Via Christi Village of Hays, Kansas.
Leonard was born on April 10, 1934, in Julesburg, Colorado, the son of Leo and Kate (Eckhout) Austin. He grew up in Julesburg, Colorado and graduated from Julesburg High School in the class of 1952. He served his country by joining the Army and served in Korea during the Korean War. After returning home from the war, he met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ardie Elaine (Good) on August 16, 1959, in Barnard, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with a son Anthony. Leonard then went back to school he received his Bachelor Degree from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. After college, Leonard and Ardie made their home in Holyoke and Julesburg, Colorado until 1989. During that year they moved to a ranch 5 miles north of Russell and worked together farming and ranching. He and Ardie attended church at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, Kansas. He enjoyed tending to his cattle, watching Kansas State football and basketball, camping and traveling to Arizona and New Mexico and spending time traveling with their RV group of friends. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving family include his son Anthony Austin and wife Erryn of Hays, Kansas; sister Barbara Radke and husband Dwaine of Lincoln, Nebraska; granddaughter Michaela Austin and step granddaughter Courtny Sauer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ardie on March 09, 2012, and a brother Larry Austin.
A celebration of Leonard's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 08, 2018, at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, Kansas, with Pastor Stacey Ellsworth. Burial will follow at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, August 07, 2018, at the mortuary with the family present from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening. Memorials can be given to the Paradise United Methodist Church or Via Christi Village and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.