HUTCHINSON — Leon Henry Stricker, 81 of Hutchinson, formerly of Milberger, died Sept. 12, at the Reno County Hospice House in Hutchinson. Born Jan. 30, 1930 on the family farm near Milberger, he was the son of Henry, Jr. and Martha (Miller) Stricker. He grew up in the Milberger area and graduated from Russell High School. He then attended the Salt City Business College in Hutchinson.

On June 10, 1951 he married Carla June Pruter. She died Sept. 12, 2001. They made their home in the Milberger area. On Aug. 23, 2003 he married Delores Pearson in Hutchinson. A farmer most of his life, he also worked as a mechanic and truck driver for over 30 years for Dumler Repair, and later Radke Implement in Milberger.

Mr. Stricker was a member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He served on the Russell County Planning Commission, the Russell County Farm Bureau Board, Lincoln Township Board, and had been a member of the Russell Elks Lodge and the Great Bend Eagles.

Survivors include his wife Delores of the home; three sons, Kirk Stricker of Salina, John Stricker of Russell, and Luke Stricker of Winona; two daughters, Debra Rhodenbaugh of Inman, and Sandi Brackett of Hutchinson; a sister, Verjean Goodnight of Kent, Wash.; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two infant twins; and a sister Lenora Burns.

Celebration of Leon’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger. Burial will follow at the Milberger Cemetery. A memorial has been established with the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary

610 N. Maple

Russell, KS 67665

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Sept. 15, 2011