Leonard Dewitt Van Pelt

Leonard Dewitt Van Pelt, 85, of Central City, NE, died Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City. Private family graveside services will be Monday, October 28 at Burke Cemetery near Central City with Pastor Valjean Warman officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, October 27 from 5-8 P.M., at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Dewitt was born on November 23, 1927 to Leonard and Vera (Woodward) Van Pelt in Archer, Nebraska. He grew up in the Palmer/Archer area and attended Archer High School. Dewitt married Norma Jean Stalker on March 7, 1948 in Archer, Nebraska. The couple lived in Palmer and then moved to Clarks where he was a self employed farmer all of his life. He also owned his own land leveling business, Van Pelt Construction. He was a member of Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church in Clarks, NE, and Masonic Solar Lodge 134. He enjoyed playing cards, cross word puzzles, reading western novels, and hunting. He was also an avid baseball player and coach. Dewitt and Norma also enjoyed canoeing with friends. He is survived by his wife, Norma Van Pelt of Central City, NE, two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Joyce Van Pelt of Ames, IA; and Daryl and Julie Van Pelt of Clarks, NE; six daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and John Kiser of Kansas City, MO; Denise and Wayne Beck of Stromsburg, NE; Dixie and Robert Freeborn of Kansas City, MO; Dawn and Rick Lucas of Council Grove, KS; Dodi and Robert Lynn of Kearney, NE; and Dina and Mike Euler of Lincoln, NE; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Dwaine and Carmen Van Pelt of Archer, NE; Roger Van Pelt of Dannebrog, NE; and Stephen and Vicki Van Pelt of Archer, NE; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Rhoda Seiler of Axtell, NE; Sharlene and Gerald Reise of Grand Island, NE; Nora and Virgil Lindner of Central City, NE; and Judith and Stewart Anderson of Axtell, NE, 17 grand children and 20 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister – Elizabeth “Betty” Duncan. Memorials are suggested to Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church, American Cancer Association, or Apraxia Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com.

Leonard Dewitt Van Pelt

November 23, 1927 - October 24, 2013