Leo W. Margritz

Mass of Christian Burial Service for Leo W. Margritz will be conducted from St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington, Nebraska on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Paul Colling, officiating. Interment will be in the St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery at Lexington.

Leo William Margritz, 70 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at his home in Kearney following a brief battle with cancer. Leo was born April 9, 1938 at the family home in Ravenna, Nebraska, the third of four children of Arthur and Leota (Killip) Margritz. At a young age the family moved to Lexington, where Leo received his primary education and later graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic School in Sidney, Nebraska. He then pursued higher education at Southeast Community College at Milford, Nebraska where he earned an Associates Degree in auto and diesel mechanics.

Following his education, Leo returned home to Lexington, where he was employed at Dunlap's. On June 8, 1959 he was united in marriage to Donna B. Schmitt at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington. To this union four children were born: Bradley, Teresa, Gaye and Gregory. After being employed as a mechanic for various area businesses, Leo opened his own mechanic shop in Overton, Nebraska and founded Leo's Service Center. Later in years, the Eaton Corporation of Kearney employed Leo until his retirement.

Leo loved to golf and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed Husker football and was always willing to help a friend or family member with an engine problem. First and foremost in his life was the time spent with his family. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Elk's Lodge in Kearney. Leo enjoyed the friendship bonds formed through the years as a member of the Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, the Overton Golf Course and his customers and colleagues throughout his career.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Donna of Kearney; four children: Brad Margritz and his partner, John Kite of Denver, Colorado, Terri Margritz of Kearney, Gaye Lannan and her husband, Joe of Omaha, Nebraska and Greg Margritz and his wife, Mercedes of San Diego, California; four grandchildren: Lindsay and Candace Lannan, Johnathan Burgi and Monserrat Margritz; one brother, Charles Margritz and his wife, Julene of Lexington; one sister, Catherine Mavetz and her husband, Frank of Canton, Illinois; sister-in-law, Virginia Margritz of Lexington; brother-in-law, Donald Schmitt and his wife, Lucille of Red Feather, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gerald Margritz.

Visitation for Leo will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington.

Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, evening at 7:00 p.m. at the church. A memorial has been established in his memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.