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Lawrence (Larry) W. Leopold, 87, died peacefully at Harlan County Hospital in Alma, NE surrounded by his loving family on September 29, 2005. He was laid to rest with military honors near his beloved mother and father in Alma on October 1, 2005. Larry was born in Orleans, NE on November 26, 1917, the son of Theodore Hovey Leopold and Eva (Wolf) Leopold. He graduated from high school in Alma in 1936. Larry served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Mae; one of their seven children, Diana Sue; and his second wife, Mary Jean. During his 50-plus years as a resident of Albuquerque and Los Lunas, Larry worked as a diesel mechanic. After retirement, he drove a school bus in Los Lunas and tutored children with their reading. In 1998 he returned to Alma where he also assisted teachers with the children's reading. Each school year he received mountains of letters and artwork from the children who so dearly loved him. Mourning his passing are his loving children, Beth Crabill of St. Petersburg, FL, Carol Bennefield of Los Lunas, NM, Janice Jensen and husband, James of Las Vegas, NV, Frances Thomas and husband, Richard of Bastrop, TX, Eva Morrell and Marcia Chadly of Westminster, CO, and Robert Leopold and wife, Christina of Los Lunas, NM; sisters, Evelyn Ulmer Kelley of Lincoln, NE and Dorothy Tice and husband, Richard of Alma, NE; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends. Larry was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, and was well known for his pancake breakfasts for the Two-soms Class, as well as other culinary delights he prepared from his "Cooking for 200" cookbook handed down from his mother. Larry was a long-time member of the Moose Lodge #1517 and the local Lions Club in Los Lunas. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, a good neighbor, ever-ready to lend a helping hand, a wonderful father to his seven children, a loving grandfather to his grandchildren, and a friend to everyone he met. His children and grandchildren are blessed to have had so many years to learn from him and receive his guidance. When Larry was approaching 80, he often-times had to be reminded that he was retired now and could cut back to an 8 or 10-hour workday. Larry's selflessness, family values, coaching, teaching, kindness, and the ever-present twinkle in his eye touched many lives and hearts, and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
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