HOISINGTON — Leo Harold Baum, 98, passed away July 25, 2022, at Country Place Senior Living Memory Care, Hoisington. He was born Aug. 28, 1923, at Susank, Kan., to Andrew and Katherine (Schmidt) Baum. Leo married Loretta Jean Cronn Dec. 12, 1949, in Russell, Kan. They celebrated 72 years of marriage last December.

Leo, a resident of Hoisington since 1970 coming from Paradise, Kan., was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia.  Following his honorable discharge on March 29, 1947, he worked in the oilfield, the Helium Plant in Otis and later as a tool pusher for Mohawk Drilling. In his later years he was employed at Great Bend feeding as a night watchman. Leo enjoyed fishing, music, playing his guitar and spending time with family. He was a life member of the V.F.W., Russell, and was a devoted member of the Christian faith, accepting Christ at the age of 18.  Leo shaped his life around his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and made it his life’s work to embrace and spread the Word. 

Survivors include his wife Loretta of the home; two sons, Leo Baum, Jr. (Vicky) of Rusk, Texas, and Gordon Baum (Karen) of Buchannon, W.V.; two daughters, Ginger Cotten (Joe) of Hoisington, and Brenda Roat (Damon Phelps) of Hoisington; son-in-law Terry Hekele of Great Bend; grandchildren, Leo C. Baum, Bri Foresman, Kim Gould, Angela Gould, Tina Harman, Cassie Andrews, Kristin Wilt, Terri Umphres, Tiffany Hekele, Tyann Miller, Micah Cotten, Sarah Simic, Rebekah Ohlde, Joey Cotten, Kristin Roat, DJ Miller and Trenton Roat; 22 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; two brothers, George Baum of Great Bend and Jake Baum (Mary) of Kansas City, Kan.; and two sisters, Hilda Jacobs of Gorham and Lydia Kaufman (Gary) of Great Bend. He was preceded in passing by daughter, Leota Hekele; and siblings, Helen Wolford, Mary Mermis, Edward Baum, Josephine Shreve, Rosie Thompson, Margaret Bissett, Viola Brown, Kenny Baum and Emil Baum.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Sunday, February 12, with family to receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel in Hoisington, with Pastor Don Fisher. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials have been designated to the Church of the Nazarene or Gentiva Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS  67544. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS  67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 10, 2023