Service Time:  10:30 A.M.
Day and Date:  Monday, May 11, 2009
Location:  St. John Lutheran Church- Russell
Viewing and Guest Book Registration: Noon to 8 PM on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at the mortuary.
Prayer Service:  7 P.M. Sunday evening, May 10, 2009 at the mortuary.
Burial:  Michaelis Cemetery - Russell County, Kansas

Memorial:  Southwind Hospice or Children's Shrine Hospital

Leo L. Michaelis, 96 of Russell died Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.  Leo was born November 15, 1912 in Russell, the son of John J. and Lena (Spadey) Michaelis.  He grew up and attended school in the Sellens Creek area of Russell County.

Leo was united in marriage to Alma Waymaster on July 30, 1933 in Susank, Kansas.  They made their home on a farm south of Bunker Hill for three years before moving to the Michaelis family farm.  This union of 70 years was blessed with six children; Shirley, Gerald, Roger, Larry, Gene and Marlin.  Alma preceded him in death on December 29, 2003.

Leo was a farmer, rancher and stockman all of his life.  Later in life he also dabbled in the oil production business. 

He was a former longtime member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington and was a current member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  He was a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge and the Salina Isis Shrine.  He enjoyed hunting, bowling, golfing, playing cards with family and friends and taking numerous trips with Alma.

His surviving family include daughter, Shirley Brown and husband Bill of Ulysses, Kansas; four sons, Gerald Michaelis and wife Betty of Galatia, Kansas, Roger Michaelis and wife Reatha of Great Bend, Kansas, Larry Michaelis of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Gene Michaelis and wife Regina of Olathe, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Marlin Michaelis; five brothers, Armin, Edwin, Rudolph, Ruben and Gustav; and two sisters, Elvina Hein and Martha Herdt.

Celebration of Leo’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, May 11, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis and Jim Brown officiating.  Interment will follow at Michaelis Cemetery in southern Russell County.  Masonic Rites will be conducted at the cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1PM to 8 PM on Sunday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.  Memorials have been established with South Wind Hospice or the Shrine’s Children Hospital.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who is in charge of these arrangements.  Condolences may also be sent via email at www.pvpmortuary.com.