Leon has cut anchor, and decided that it's time to Waltz with Matilda once again.

Leon F. Hesh was born in Saline County to Edward and Elsie (Kubes) Hesh on February 5, 1926. He passed away on June 9, 2018 at the Crete Hospital. He was the older of two children. Leon attended rural school and graduated from Crete Public High School.

Leon helped his dad on the farm, from his youth through his teen years. He left the farm to serve his country in the Army at the end of World War II, and then returned to continue farming. After three of his children graduated from high school, he retired from farming and worked for the State of Nebraska at the Department of Roads until retirement.

On October 23, 1952, Leon was united in marriage to Matilda Klasek at a Methodist Church in Lincoln. They were blessed with four children Steven, Terese, Mary and Suzanne. And they all felt they were the dad's favorite.

Leon was a former member of the Knights of Pythias. He volunteered for many years at the bingo stand for the American Legion, and also served on the School Board, including as Board President, for the Wilber-Clatonia High School.

Leon was a devoted husband and respected father. He enjoyed raising crops, as well as livestock, and after leaving the farm, continued his skills in the garden, sharing the bounty with neighbors & friends. His favorite pastimes included fishing, playing cards, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Leon and Matilda went on a two week honeymoon trip which took them though the Ozarks, to New Orleans, across Texas, to the Grand Canyon, through Colorado, North and South Dakota and then back home. It must have been true love to spend that much time in the car. Leon's favorite family time was spent on the lake either watching his children waterski or fishing. They took a rare family trip with their four children to Colorado, and later a trip to Hawaii with their two younger daughters. Once their children were grown, Leon and Matilda enjoyed annual road trips to California and Arizona to visit Steve, Terese, Suzanne, and their families. They enjoyed a two-month motor home trip to Alaska. There were also numerous fishing trips to South Dakota, Minnesota and Canada, and trips to visit their "cousins" in northeast Kansas.

In 1984 Leon and Matilda moved into Wilber. In 2012 he moved into the Wilber Care Center full time.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents: Edward and Elsie Hesh, his wife Matilda, a grandson Green Hesherton, and his sister LaDean Zajicek.

He is survived by his children: son, Steven Hesh of California; daughters, Terese O'Connell and husband Robert of California, Mary Ourecky and husband Dale of Wilber, and Suzanne Stokebrand and husband Tom of Arizona.

Grandchildren: Heart Hesherton, Power Hefferton, Babu Tree and wife Jenny Aires, Sean O'Connell and wife Eva, Quinn O'Connell, Aron Ourecky and wife Elizabeth, Jamie Sand and husband Gabe, Elizabeth Ourecky and fiancée Guy Stinnett, and Margo Stokebrand.

Great Grandchildren: Easton, Jase and Bryson Sand, Sophia and Anna Aires-Tree, Evelyn and Krislin Ourecky, and Jasper O'Connell.

Funeral services to be held 11 am Monday, June 18 at the Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber with Pastor Lila Bottolfsen officiating. Interment is at the Wilber Czech Cemetery followed by a fellowship at the Wilber Care Center. Visitation 5-8 pm Sunday. Memorials in care of the family.  Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber is in charge of arrangements.