Harold Gene Leitner

Harold “Gene” Leitner, age 91, of Herndon, KS, died December 11, 2017 at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, KS. Gene was born April 8, 1926 to Paul and Theresia Leitner. He lived and farmed all of his life on the Leitner Farm near Traer, KS. He attended Traer Grade School and two years of Traer High School. When he was 17, he enlisted in the Navy at the Oberlin courthouse and boarded the “pollywog” train in Traer, KS traveling to Farragut, Idaho for two months of boot camp training where he became a Gunners Mate 3rd Class. On April 24, 1944 he boarded the U.S.S. Mississippi (BB41), a naval training ship in Bremerton, WA. His fleet participated in the bombardment of Peleliu in Palau Islands, Manus Island, and Leyte Island in the Philippines; the Battle of Surigao Strait, Luzon Islands, and Okinawa Islands. In Okinawa he participated in the bombardment of Shuri Castle, the headquarters of the Japanese forces touted as being impossible to destroy. His fleet received a Naval Unit Commendation for destroying the castle. Aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi and alongside the Battleship U.S.S. Missouri, he witnessed the signing of the peace treaty by President Harry S. Truman in Tokyo Bay. On May 25, 1946 he received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Naval Separation Center in Norman, OK. During his service he received a Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon. He also received six battle stars representing each battle aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi. On May 24, 1949, Gene married the love of his life, Marcella Rose Riepl at St. Marys Assumption Church in Herndon, KS. Together they enjoyed a lifetime of farming on the Leitner farm home in Decatur County, raising three daughters, Patricia, Barbara, and Donna. They were happily married for 68 years. Besides his farming talents, he received his Auctioneers license in 1983 through the Worldwide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA, his General Education Development Certificate (GED) from Colby Community College in 1988, and his Realtor License from Hays, KS. Gene and Marcella moved to Oberlin, KS in 1990. Retirement was not in his future, however. He spent the remainder of his time farming and raising cattle on the Louise Pollnow Homestead. Gene was happiest when he was driving his tractor, running the combine, riding horses, and spending time with his four girls: Marcella, Patricia, Barbara, and Donna. Gene and Marcella resided at the Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin, KS before moving to Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, KS on September 5, 2017, to be closer to their daughters. He is survived by his spouse, Marcella Leitner; his three children, Patricia Tongish (Dave) of Newton, KS, Barbara Leitner (Wayne Darnell) of Farmington, NM, and Donna Wilson (Steve) of Wichita, KS; five grandchildren, Ashley Houser (Britt) of Newton, KS, Lesley Williams (Bryce) of Kansas City, KS, John Tongish of Newton, KS, Jarrett Tongish of Tokyo, Japan, and Desiree Wilson of Kansas City, MO; two great-grandchildren, Knox Houser and Graham Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Gene was preceded in death by his loving parents, Paul and Theresia Leitner; and siblings, Robert Leitner, Marvin Leitner, and Jerald Leitner. Gene was a parishioner of both St. Marys Assumption Church in Herndon, KS serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Parish in Oberlin, KS. He was a member of the Herndon VFW Post 1368 where he served as Commander in 1992-1993 and the Oberlin American Legion. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. A celebration of his life will take place on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., with rosary beginning at 9:00 a.m., at St. Elizabeth Chapel at the Catholic Care Center, 6550 E. 45th St. N., Bel Aire, KS; and a rosary on Friday, December 15, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Marys Assumption Church in Herndon, KS with burial following at the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Marys Assumption Church, 541 Palermo Ave., Herndon, KS 67739; or the Good Samaritan Center, 108 E. Ash, Oberlin, KS 67749.