Leonard Angelo Countryman

Leonard Angelo Countryman

Leonard A. Countryman was the fifth child born to John Elmer and Gertrude (Kincheloe) Countryman, on August 27, 1915. He grew up on the family farm five miles south, one mile east, and ½ mile south of Esbon, Kansas. He attended Westbranch School. Leonard was born in the midst of WWI and he thankfully avoided the Spanish influenza epidemic when he was three years old. Leonard’s teen years were during the “Great Depression and Dirty Thirties Drought Years.” As few jobs were available, he shucked corn as far away as Iowa.
Leonard married Pearl Loomis on August 3, 1936. They traveled to Tracey, California, looking for work. Leonard worked on several farms harvesting vegetables and fruits. After three months, Pearl was homesick and they returned to Kansas, to take up farming with his father. Leonard and Pearl had four children, Dale Gene, Stephen Jack, Judy Coleen, and Rita June. Pearl died November 1, 1962.
Leonard married Maxine Fall on February 15, 1971. Maxine died September 27, 1998.
Leonard was a lifelong farmer and rancher selling his cattle when he was 85 years of age.
He served as a school board member of the Westbranch and Esbon High Schools. The Esbon High School was built during his tenure.
Music was an important part of Leonard’s life. He taught himself to play the guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and violin. He accompanied his children singing for many PTA programs. Leonard was a good dancer and called square dances.
Leonard enjoyed recalling memories of his early years. One story was how he would get to dances. First of all, it required draining gasoline from the tractor to put into his Model T Coupe in order to have gas to get there. He drove to Esbon and loaded up the Model T with friends. The car was stuffed full with the overflow hanging on the outside riding on the running boards! However, once at the Bohemian dance hall, he didn’t have the 25 cents to get onto the dancing floor. So, he had to wait all evening until the last dance; it would be free. He would have his girl picked out to dance with and then ask to take her home!
Leonard moved to Beloit in May 2006, to be near his daughter Rita and family. He was a resident of the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Long-term Care Facility. His physical health failed during this final year. He had a good mind until the end. His body was just worn out and Leonard was ready to pass to the next life. He asked Judith on Thursday, “Have you called the undertaker yet?” Leonard died July 13, 2007, at the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Long-term Care Facility, Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 16 days.
We will greatly miss our father. His love of God was expressed by his compassion and dedication for his family and friends, caring for his farm animals, and tending the soil of the earth. He never met a thistle that he didn’t enjoy chopping down!
Survivors include two sons – Dale and wife Becky Countryman of Salina, Kansas, Steve and wife Jayne Countryman of Bentley, Kansas; two daughters, Judy and husband, Blaine Wells of Cedaredge, Colorado, and Rita and husband, Dennis Thompson of Beloit, Kansas; Maxine’s son, A.C. Fall and wife, Kathy of Jasper, Missouri; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life was 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. Music was performed by Ken Benedick, and the hymns were: “How Great Thou Art,” and “Old Rugged Cross.” Casket bearers were: Richard “Dick” Burns, Everett Benoit, Gail Burgess, Carl Figgins, Jerod Kinsey, and George Burgess. Interment was in the Ionia Cemetery, Ionia, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Solomon Valley Hospice or Mitchell County Hospital Health System, Long term Care Memorial Garden. Visitation will be from Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the mortuary. The family will receive family and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday evening at the mortuary. Arrangements were handled by Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.