Leland J. Greving

Leland J. Greving, 87, of Central City, died on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Litzenberg Long Term Care Center, in Central City, being released from the clutches of dementia. Funeral services will be held at Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City, on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Zeke Pipher officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. Interment will be held at the Central City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Evangelical Free Church and the Alzheimers Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. As an alternative to attending the funeral service at the church, it will be live streamed on the Heartland EFC YouTube site. Leland Greving was born on July 17, 1932, to Garried H. and Josie (Erickson) Greving in Prairie View, Kansas. He was the youngest of four children. He attended Rock Island Country School through fourth grade and completed his education at Prairie View High School, graduating with the class of 1950. On September 11, 1932, Leland was baptized into the christian faith. On April 17, 1949, Leland made his Public Profession of Faith in Christ and joined the Prairie View Reformed Church of America. Leland proudly served his country from October, 1952 through 1954 with the 7th Division of the United States Army. Sixteen of these months were spent in Korea. He ended his time in the service as a military police officer. He then returned home to farm. Leland married Shirley Jean Howe (his “jewel” from Jewell County, Kansas) on October 20, 1956, at the Burr Oak Methodist Church. Four children blessed their home: Gregory James, Garry Jay, Ann Jeanine and Jennifer Jo. Seeking land to farm, Leland and Shirley moved to Chapman, NE, in February, 1958. In November, 1962, they moved to the home place closer to Chapman where they raised their family. In 1984 they moved to Central City. The couple worshipped with their neighbors as members of the Archer Zion United Methodist Church for fifty years. His faith was strong, and he served his church in many offices. In 2006, they began regularly attending services at the Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Central City and became members in 2008. Leland’s faith, family, friends, and farming were his life. He was a kind, loving and devoted husband and father. Leland knew no stranger. His contagious laugh was his trademark. He always treasured coffee time with family and friends. After retirement he enjoyed woodworking. It was with great pleasure that he made items for his family and friends from native walnut wood harvested from the home place. In 1992, Leland and Shirley connected with Mabel’s Mexican Mission Team in Nuevo Progresso, Mexico; helping to build many one room homes for the poorest of poor across the border. In 2000 they began spending winters in Alamo, TX, where they could continue doing mission work. The couple enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and especially Holland, from where Leland’s four grandparents immigrated. Leland served on the Soil Conservation Board, the N.R.D Board, and the Merrick County Board of Supervisors from 1980 to 1994. He also served on the Archer Co-Op Credit Union Board of Directors for over 25 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #6 and a life member of the FFA Alumni Association. Those left to cherish Leland’s memory are his wife of 63 years, Shirley of Central City, his bother Wayne (Dee) of Pella, Iowa, his children Greg (Betty Smith) of Grand Island, Garry (Vicki) of Chapman, Ann (Kevin Brown) of Chapman, and Jennifer (Steve Pauly) of Doniphan, twelve grandchildren, and twenty-two great grand children, plus several nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ila and her husband Dick DeWitt, sister Marjorie and her husband Paul Tanis, and sister-in-law, Twyla Boyles and her husband, Delmar.

Leland J. Greving

July 17, 1932 - June 13, 2020