Obituary of Ronald Leslie Leapley

Ronald "Ron" Leslie Leapley, the son of Leslie Whitney and Vera Pearl (Avery) Leapley, was born on August 8, 1943 at San Diego, CA. At the age of nine months, his family relocated to a farm outside Coleridge, NE where he spent his youth. He attended the Coleridge Community School, graduating with the class of 1961. Following graduation, Ron furthered his education at Wayne State College at Wayne, NE where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree. He then earned a Master's Degree in both, Education Administration from Wayne State, and Chemistry from USD at Vermillion, SD. Ron was united in marriage to Barbara Cautrell; together they had one son, Randy. He was also briefly married to Patricia Karo, before his marriage to Sandra K. Walstrom Joens on August 14, 2010 at Coleridge, NE. For the past few years, they have made their home in Hartley, IA. Teaching, flying and being outdoors consumed most of Ron's life. He loved to teach – especially Chemistry; first teaching at Plainview, NE and then Wausa, NE. He accepted the position of High School Principal at Cody, NE for one year, then spent the next 24 at Winside, NE. All total, Ron was involved in education for 39 enjoyable years. When he could arrange it, Ron took instruction to become an airplane pilot, earning his private license. The freedom of open skies was a welcome contrast to the structure of offices and classrooms. He loved being outdoors, whether it was hunting or fishing or managing a huge vegetable garden, complete with different fruit trees. The time he spent on the farm at Coleridge gave him great pleasure and satisfaction. He also enjoyed poking around at flea markets and antique shows being an avid collector of Pepsi glassware. Ron passed from this life on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the age of 73. Preceding him in death were his parents, Leslie "Bud" and Vera Leapley; and his brother, Rick Leapley. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandi of Hartley, IA; his son, Randy Leapley of Elwood, NE; daughters: Tammy (Mike) Seeley of Tilton, IL, Tina Joens of Pocahontas, IA, Tricia (Jason) Vial of Hartley, IA; ten grandchildren; two great-grandsons; other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life Ronald L. Leapley Born ~ August 8, 1943 Died ~ January 3, 2017 Age ~ 73 years 4 months 25 days FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, January 6, 2017 ~ 10:30 a.m. Trinity United Church of Christ Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins Organist ~ Julie Back Trumpeter ~ Ron Arndt Musical Tribute Rev. Jeff Filkins ~ "On Eagle's Wings" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "How Great Thou Art" "The Borning Cry" Recessional ~ "Amazing Grace" Pallbearers Jim Leapley John Leapley Larry Leapley Michel Leapley Jason Vial Noah Joens Honorary Pallbearers Jordan Starman Corey Leapley Levi Leapley Bryce Seeley Zachery Seeley Kyle Seeley Nicole Joens Brittany Vial Carley Vial Ayden Zuniga Caiden Seeley Ushers Greg Mills ~ Merlyn Feddersen Burial Coleridge Cemetery, Coleridge, NE (at a later date)