Leland Lee Larreau

Leland Lee Larreau, age 88, of Hershey, NE, passed away Monday, November 9, 2015, at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, NE. Leland was born April 3, 1927, to Otis and Marie Larreau in Stanford, NE. The family lived in Stanford, on a farm in rural Stanford then moved to a ranch northwest of Thedford, NE. In 1942 they settled on a farm southeast of Arnold, NE along the South Loup River and the Larreau family grew. Leland attended school in Thedford and graduated from the 8th grade then attended Arnold High School. For many years Leland and his father farmed, operated gravel pits, and raised cattle. Leland was a gifted horseman and took great pride in establishing a unique landscape by fencing the land and maintaining the trees. In the late 1940's, Leland met Betty Purcell of the Garfield Table area south of Arnold. Due to the January Blizzard of '49, the couple postponed their nuptials until February 13, 1949, when they were united in marriage during a double ring ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Arnold. They shared a beautiful wedding day with Betty's twin sister, Bonnie Jean, and her new husband, Wayne Maline, of Gothenburg, NE. Leland and Betty made their home on the farm southeast of Arnold and were later blessed with five children, Sue Ellen, Brent, Jim, Jackie and Joseph. In May of 1970, Leland left the farm and hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist in the Diesel Shop. The Larreau family moved to North Platte for five years before moving to an acreage south of Hershey in 1975. It was here that Leland began building a house with the help of his family. At the age of 66, Leland retired from the railroad. He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, building and listening to Lawrence Welk music. He could fix just about anything and had a talent for making unique items out of what others called junk. Leland was a member of the Arnold Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of the Walker Road Church of Christ in North Platte. Leland was also a member of Machinist Union #180, Lincoln County Democrats, and enjoyed being a member of the Hershey Antique Tractor Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Betty, of Sutherland; their children, Sue Ellen Foster and Joseph Larreau, both of North Platte, Brent (Stella) Larreau and Jackie (Eric) Brown, all of Hershey, and Jim Larreau, of Golden, CO; two sisters, Connie (Glen) Weinman, of Arnold and Betty Searcy, of Athens, TX; brothers-in-law, Dwayne Purcell, of Phoenix, AZ, and Mike Kirwan, of Imperial, NE; and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Maline, of Gothenburg and Dorothy Larreau and Carmen Purcell, both of Arnold. Survivors also include 10 grandchildren, Cora (Luke) Fisher, Tyson (Tara) Foster, Erica Brown, Logan Brown, Skyler Brown, Leah Larreau, Lindsey Larreau, Marci (Jason) Frame, Kandace Torres and Lane (Sarah) Larreau; 10 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner, Isaac, Simon, Shawn, Kaley, Ben, Samuel, Joey and Kale; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family. Leland was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Marie; son-in-law, Ivan Foster; two brothers, Larry 'John' and Wes Larreau; and four sisters, Sonja Larreau, Pauline Anderson, Fay Jean Kirwin and Joy Ann Hill. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Ned Cooper officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Hershey Senior Center.