Kliewer, Leon R. (1945-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Apr 20 p. 9

Birth date: 1945 May 1

text of obituary:

LEON R. KLIEWER

Leon R. Kliewer of Buhler, Kan., died April 11, 2009. He was born May 1, 1945, in York, Neb., to Cornelius C. and Marie Dick Kliewer.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized and became a member of Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson, Neb., on June 10, 1962.

After graduating from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., he married Mary Mierau on June 10, 1967, at Bethesda Mennonite Church. He served two years in alternative service at Methodist Youthville in Newton.

He entered the banking field, serving as a loan officer at the Bank of Whitewater, Kan., and Midland National Bank of Newton. After nine years of banking, the opportunity to own a bank insurance and real estate agency became available in Buhler. He purchased the agency and renamed it Buhler Agency, which prospered and grew for more than 30 years.

He served in the churches where he lived as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and on various committees and boards, including the Bethel College Alumni Association and Western District Conference board of trustees. He was active in the Buhler Chamber of Commerce, Buhler fall festival committee and Buhler centennial committee.

His greatest joy was being married to Mary and raising three sons. He considered it a privilege and responsibility to support them in displaying their God-given talents, particularly in music.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons, David L. DeHoogh-Kliewer and his wife, Michelle, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Christopher C. Kliewer and his wife, Cara, of Wichita, and Benjamin L. Kliewer of Wichita; and four grandchildren.

Services were held at First Mennonite Church of Newton. Burial was at Buhler East Cemetery.