Kenneth M. Leland

December 21, 1924 - June 15, 2013

Kenneth was born December 21, 1924 in Montrose, Kansas to Austin and Sylvia (Vader) Leland. At an early age he moved with his family to Hadar, Nebraska. He graduated from high school in Pierce, Nebraska. Prior to enlisting in the United States Army, he was an apprentice auctioneer dealing mostly with livestock auctions.

He served in the United States Army from May of 1943 to November of 1945. He had been awarded the Purple Heart with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Good Conduct Medal. He saw action in Southern France and the Rhineland and was wounded in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater. Following his discharge, he returned to the Norfolk area.

Kenneth was married to Norma Holley on August 19, 1951 and they lived in Norfolk until moving to South Dakota in the Burke and Bonesteel area, then returning to Norfolk before moving to Fremont in 1960. For most of his working years, he was employed by the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, retiring as a conductor in 1987.

His hobby was his ownership and working with race horses. He is a former member of the Masonic Lodge and Tangier Shrine Center. He is a member of the VFW Post at Stanton, Nebraska and a member of the DAV. And he was formerly a member of the Elks Lodge and the Eagles Club.

Survivors: wife Norma
daughter Debra and husband Fred Hill of Klamath Falls, Oregon
3 sons Doug and wife Peggy Leland
Dennis and wife LouAnn Leland
Dana and wife June Leland, all of Fremont
8 grandchildren
2 great grandchildren
He was preceded in death by 2 brothers and a sister.

The memorial service will be 11 AM Thursday (June 20, 2013) at Salem Lutheran Church, Fremont. There is no public viewing, however the family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 PM at the Ludvigsen Mortuary. The committal will be 3 PM Thursday in the Norwegian Cemetery at Wisner, Nebraska with Military Honors by the Stanton VFW Post 3602. Memorials are suggested to the Stanton VFW Post 3602 or to the donor's charity of choice.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

Obituary Provided By:
Freeman Funeral Home
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
www.ludvigsenmortuary.com