Leu, Samuel (1879-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 2 p. 9

Birth date: 1876 Oct 27

text of obituary:

SAMUEL LEU

Samuel Leu, son of Jacob and Mary Leu, was born at Archbold, Ohio October 27, 1876, and passed away at the Wesley hospital in Wichita on March 6, 1953, at the age of 76 years, four months, seven days.

He came to Kansas with his parents when he was three years old. The Leu’s were pioneer cattle ranchers in Greenwood county and Sam spent most of his early years on the range with early day cattlemen.

In 1902, at the age of 26, Sam left the family homestead to enter the hardware business at Lamont, Kansas. On December 3 of that year he was united in marriage to Anna Zaerr of Emporia. The first son, Ralph, was born in Lamont. The family then moved to Madison, Kansas, where Sam operated a hardware store until the family came to Harper in 1910, where the second son, Clarence was born.

In Harper he entered the hardware and implement business and since 1937, Sam and his son Ralph, have operated the Leu Hardware store, formerly known as the Campbell Hardware. Sam greeted his friends daily in the store until his recent illness a few months ago.

Upon Sam’s early life were indelibly stamped the influences of a Christian home, and these deeply rooted elements have been revealed in Christian attitudes and faith throughout his entire life. When the family came to Harper in 1910, he and Anna became members of the Crystal Springs Mennonite church to which he remained faithful until his death.

He is survived by his wife Anna; two sons, Ralph of Harper and Clarence, Belle Plaine; five grandchildren, Kenneth, Richard Jerry, Ann and Sam; a sister Mrs. Lucy Moser, Lamont, Kansas; and one brother, Eli, Zenda.

Funeral services were held March 8, 1953, in charge of D. Lowell Nissley at the Crystal Springs Mennonite church. Interment was in the church cemetery.