Leland Lyle Steinkruger, 78, of Cozad, formerly of Franklin, passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Cozad Care and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden with Chaplain Michael Freitag officiating. Interment will follow services at the Macon Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Leland's honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Craig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Leland was born at home on December 25, 1940 in Salem Township in Franklin County, Nebraska to Edward and Rena (Bunger) Steinkruger. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He later graduated from Hildreth High School with the class of 1959.
On October 5, 1963, he was united in marriage to Betty Jane Dodson. The couple made their home on the family farm in Franklin County where Leland took pride in being a third generation farmer of the land. They later moved to Franklin after Leland retired.
Leland was a member of the Macon United Methodist church for many years where he served as the church treasurer. He also served on the board of Macon Union Cemetery. Above everything else, he loved his family dearly. Leland and Betty eventually moved to Cozad after living in Franklin for 15 years.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 55 years, Betty of Cozad; daughters, Kayleen Schepker and husband Kelvin of Upland, and Jane Naslund and husband Kelly of Cozad; granddaughters, Miranda McQuiston and husband Ande of Oxford and Alyssa Nielsen and husband Tyler of Oxford; one great-grandson, Ridge William McQuiston of Oxford, step-grandson, Jaxon Naslund of Holdrege; brothers-in-law, Dallas Volk of Upland, and Dick Dodson and wife Barb of Holdrege; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Dodson of Idaho; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Hazel Volk and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Tributes of memory can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .