Marilyn D. Leonard, 86, of Pender, NE died on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 10;30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE, Pastor Karen McNeil-Utecht will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery of Pender. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Pender is in charge of the arrangements.
Marilyn was born on January 23, 1933 in Emerson, NE, the daughter of Arthur and Florence (Cook) Kai. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE and later attended Pender Public Schools. On April 2, 1950 she was united in marriage to Robert Leonard at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walthill, NE. Together they farmed southwest of Emerson for 52 years until retiring into Pender. Robert passed away on March 15, 2014.
Marilyn was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church; serving with the WELCA, an officer with the Ladies Aid, the Alter Guild, taught bible class and Sunday school. She also served as a District member to the WELCA. She was a great cook, served on the election board, sunshine social club, was a cub scout and brownie leader, enjoyed gardening, helping organize the annual Kai reunion and family history. Most of all she enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Marilyn is survived by her daughters, Logene (Chuck) Bach of Thurston, NE, Kris (Brad) Stewart of Wayne, NE; sons, Roger (Deb) Leonard of Pender, NE, Mike (Becky) Leonard of Wayne, NE; thirteen grandchildren, twenty nine great grandchildren; sisters Bonnie Prokop of Thurston, NE and Ardyce Surber of Pender, NE; many nieces, nephews and cousins, and her little dog, Molly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Florence Kai; husband, Robert; great granddaughter Maria Annette Leonard; sisters, Patricia Fendrick and Joyce Giese and brother, Mylen Kai.
