Reverend Donald W. Leff

Funeral Services for Reverend Donald W. Leff will be conducted at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Arnold Conrad and Pastor Murray Jones officiating and with EFCA President, Dr. Bill Hamel, speaking. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Reverend Donald W. Leff, 95 years of age, of Batavia, Illinois, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2011 at The Holmstad in Batavia. Donald William Leff was born January 10, 1916 at Winthrop, Minnesota, the eldest of three sons born to Charles William and Charlotte (Westberg) Leff. He received his education at Holdrege, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1934. He then attended Kearney State College at Kearney, Nebraska. Following a direct call from God to salvation and ministry, he obtained a degree from Northwestern Bible College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942.

On August 24, 1941 he was united in marriage to Doris Mae Robison and to this union two children were born: Sharon and Stann. Pastor Leff first served his home church, the Emmaus Evangelical Free Church north of Funk, Nebraska, then churches of the Evangelical Free Church in Wilcox, Oakland and Hordville, Nebraska.

Beginning in 1956, he served as District Superintendent for the Evangelical Free Church Midwest District. Following this, he became involved with Christian Services, which specialized in retirement and nursing homes. In 1966, the couple moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was influential in the construction of Eastmont Towers, serving as administrator and chaplain. In 1970, he was called to Denver, Colorado, where he started the Sunny Acres Retirement Home. From 1974 to 1979, he was Administrator of Northfield Villa retirement community in Gering, Nebraska, serving in the above capacities in each location.

In the fall of 1979, he began serving as administrator of the Christian Homes in Holdrege for two years. Pastor Leff then joined the staff of Trinity Evangelical Free Church. On January 1, 1983, he became the visitation pastor at the Trinity Church until his retirement.

Pastor Leff's career included thirty-one years as a minister, ten years as a district superintendent and sixteen years as an administrator of nursing homes. The Trinity Evangelical Free Church held a celebration in January of 1999 to mark his retirement after 56 years in ministry.

Pastor Leff was a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, was a longtime member of the Holdrege Rotary Club, and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in August of 2000 for serving seven years as the club's secretary. He also served as honorary chaplain for the club. Pastor Leff was also involved in the community throughout the years, serving on the Board of Directors of the Phelps Memorial Health Center and active with several church and ministry boards. In April of 2005, Doris and Don moved to Batavia to be near family.

Pastor Don's passion throughout his lifetime was his LORD, relationships and prayer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Milton Leff and his wife, Adele and Charles Leff and his first wife, Patricia.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Doris of Batavia; daughter, Sharon Conrad and her husband, Arnold of Walcott, Iowa; son, Stann Leff and his wife, Gloria of Wheaton, Illinois; four grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; sister-in-law, Dee Leff of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and monetary gifts may be designated to the Midwest District EFCA and designated for church planting.

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.