Russell C. Leach

Russell Charles Leach was born September 24, 1911, at Baldwin City, Kansas. He was the son of Judson and Lula (Haas) Leach. When Russell was a child, he lived in the Worden area. In 1935, he and his wife moved to Franklin County, where they lived on the family farm fifty-seven years, until his death Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at the age of ninety-two years. He was a lifelong farmer and stockman. Russell was deeply devoted to his family and greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. He also loved the land and enjoyed caring for the farm and trading cattle. He could guess a cow's weight to within ten pounds! On March 12, 1934, Russell was united in marriage with Minnie Lee at Lawrence, Kansas. This year, they celebrated seventy years of marriage. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Norma Jean Sobba of Ottawa, and Joyce Ann Murray of Wellsville; two sons, Russell Eugene Leach of Baldwin City, and Robert L. Leach of Ottawa; sister, Helen Pride of Modesto, California; eleven grandchildren, Shanlea Lane Garett, Delana Dee Hay, Dustin Zane Jilek, J.R. Pennington, Debra Bugner, Rob Leach, Rick Leach, Randy Leach, Rhonda Brown, Mark Alan Leach, and Dianna Lynn Hull; twenty-eight great-grandchildren, Rusti Leach, Brandon Leach, Melissa Leach, Jason Leach, Nick Leach, Tara Brown, Chris Leach, Josh Leach, Amanda Barnes, Lyndi Brown, Ethan Leach, Jaron Leach, Kali Leach, Sam Leach, Mollie Brown, Tana Garrett, Shelley Jilek, Morgan Jilek, Taylor Jilek, Dalton Bugner, Daryl Bugner, Chris Barkley, Curt Barkley, Jennie Hull, Katie Hull, Kelsie Hull, Cody Leach, and Emmalyn Leach; and, several nieces and nephews. Mr. Leach was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Olin Leach, Joyce Leach, Vernon Leach, Tom Leach, Lester Leach, and Tate Leach; and, sister, Zelda Letterman. SERVICES: Family and friends will meet at 9:00 a.m. Monday, August 23, 2004, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, and process to Evergreen Mound Cemetery for graveside services at 10:00 a.m. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Ernest Letterman. IN STATE: Friends may call at the mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to the service hour, where the family will receive friends 6 to 7:00 Sunday evening. CEMETERY: Evergreen Mound Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Franklin County 4-H or Heartland Hospice of Lawrence, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. The family requests casual attire at the services.