Leland Trickett

Leland E. Trickett, age 90 of Ottawa, Kansas passed away Tues., Dec. 28, 2010 at the Ottawa Retirement Village. Memorials may be made to the Ottawa Faith Lutheran Church or Donors Choice. Leland was born July 14, 1920 to William E. and Bessie Woolsey Trickett in Paola, Kansas. He was raised on the family farm and did his farm chores growing up, including milking cows early in the mornings. Leland graduated from Paola High School in 1939. On Aug. 30, 1939 he was united in marriage to Geneva Carter. He then went to work for the Utility Fan Corporation in California for three years before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1943 where he served until Feb. of 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He then moved back to Paola where he worked as a mechanic for the Paola Truck and Tractor International Harvester for many years and then worked construction for a local contractor before moving to Alaska in 1958. In Alaska he was employed by the Anchorage school district and played a major part in the rebuilding of the schools after the 9.2 magnitude Alaskan earthquake on March 27, 1964. Leland retired in 1976. His wife, Geneva, passed away in May of 2000. On June 8, 2001 he was united in marriage to Ruth Prothe Barnes in Ottawa, where they made their home until his passing. Leland enjoyed traveling to Alaska and throughout the country in his motor home; he also enjoyed gardening, woodworking and working with his hands. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, first wife, two brothers, Bill and Charles Trickett and one sister, Shirley Potter. Surviving are his wife Ruth of the home, 3 step daughters, Glenda Johnston and husband Mike of Gardner, Lynda Sader and husband Brant of Olathe, Brenda Bluma and husband Jeff of Burlington, 10 grandchildren, Nathan and Taylor Glessner, Connor and Corey Johnston, Casey, Cody and Carson Sader, Jessica , Dustin, and Breanna Bluma; and his nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.