Leander F. Gronenthal, 84, of Beatrice, died on Friday, July 9, 2010, at the Beatrice Good Samaritan Center. He was born on November 1, 1925 in Platte Center, NE. Leander served his country for 4 years in the U.S. Navy. He married Angeline M. Jarecki on May 24, 1950, in Platte Center. He built homes before buying a bar in Platte Center and running it for 10 years. He and his family moved to Norfolk in 1961 were he started working for the Nebraska Public Power District; they moved to Lincoln before moving to Beatrice in 1971. He retired in 1990. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church; Beatrice American Legion Post 27, and the Lions Club in Beatrice. Leander enjoyed bowling, golfing, baseball, camping, Nebraska football and gardening (especially roses). He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors included his daughters, Le Ann Umphenour and husband Kim, of Beatrice, Colleen Siebe and husband Greg, of Beatrice; six grandchildren, Jessica Hausman and special friend, Mahmoud Al-Maleki of Beatrice, Jill Sears of Valley, NE, Nicholas Umphenour of Lincoln, William Umphenour of Beatrice, Nicole Hanshaw and special friend Clinton Young, of Beatrice, Justin Hanshaw and wife, Jenny, of Beatrice; five great-grandchildren, Tianna and Tavia Hausman of Beatrice, Taja and Adara Sears of Valley, Jace Hanshaw of Beatrice; two more great-grandchildren on the way; brother-in-law, Andrew Jarecki and wife, Barbara, of Platte Center; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Jarecki of Friona, TX, Alice Jarecki of Platte Center, Carolyn Gronenthal of Columbus; brother-in-law, Larry Rosenthal of Columbus; 42 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Angeline (Jarecki) Gronenthal (3/24/2009); parents, Joseph and Hildegarde (Schmidt) Gronenthal; 3 brothers, Carl, Ray and Jerome; sister, Bernadette.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Beatrice with Father Steven Major officiating. The body will lie in state at Harman-Wright Mortuary, Monday from 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. and Tuesday at the Church one hour preceding services. Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M., Monday, at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel. A memorial has been established to St. Joseph Catholic Church with the mortuary in charge. A private family burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Beatrice at a later date. A guestbook is available online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com for signatures and messages of condolence. Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice, in charge of arrangements.
