Leon Scharenberg
Obituary
Leon Edward Scharenberg was born
October 1, 1952 at Marion, KS to Leo D. & Dorothy L. (Lewis)
Scharenberg, the youngest of four children. The family lived on a
farm NE of Marion in the Youngtown community.
When Leon was but a toddler, the family
moved to Cedar Point on the banks of the Cottonwood River. He
attended his grade school years at Cedar Point, and attended Florence
High School. He was a cakewalk king candidate his senior year, as was
his cousin, freshman Danny Heim. He participated in football and
basketball, and was class treasurer his senior year, graduating with
the class of 1970.
His senior year he willed all of his
flat tires and car repairs to his cousin, Richard Heim, and hoped
that he had the money to finance it.
He trained in mechanics at Emporia Vo
Tech, and during his lifetime he maintained all of his own vehicles.
He excelled in electronics, and he could fix anything.
In the summer of 1971, Leon and Rich
took a road trip to St. Louis in his 1970 Dodge SuperBee, 440 Magnum
Six Pack. Returning home on I-70, a 1969 Roadrunner pulled up beside
them, and Leon played cat and mouse with the Roadrunner. He finally
shut it down at 135 miles/hour.
On August 23, 1972 he was called by
Uncle Sam to serve his country in the United States army. He took his
basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO.
Leon convoyed most of the time while in
Germany, but also spent time in major German cities such as Berlin,
and Kaiserslautern which is 295 miles NE of Paris, France. He served
two years active duty from 1972-1974, and four years in the Reserves
from 1974-1978. He was discharged August 23, 1978,
Most of Leon's career was spent working
for Hesston/AGCO Corporation in Hesston, KS. He started March 5,
1972, and committed 44 years of his life in service there. He was
soon to retire when he became afflicted with cancer which ended his
career, and ultimately took his life on Sunday, July 9, 2017.
Leon often spoke of the things that he
loved and those who enriched his life. He enjoyed the outdoors, and
as a kid he enjoyed riding horses in the timber, and hunting
Bullfrogs on the Cottonwood River. He loved his God, family, country,
friends/neighbors, and respected and appreciated them, and all that
everyone did for him in his lifetime.
He loved his green, 1970 Dodge SuperBee
muscle car, and enjoyed telling stories about drag racing it in his
youth, and what a "winner" it was! He loved watching movies
and had an outstanding collection. One of his greater passions was
music. He always had lots of music in play, and he liked it… Loud!
Leon often commented that there were
four necessities that he was going to purchase if he conquered his
illness….. a new Lazy Boy recliner, a new "Shark"
sweeper, a new refrigerator, and a new battery charger!
Leon was a well-respected conservative
who freely spoke his mind and defended what was right.
During his youth, Leon attended
Youngtown and Florence Methodist churches with his family. In the
past months, he felt a part of the Aulne United Methodist Church who
prayerfully supported him, along w/ other community churches during
the difficult journey with his illness. He was honored to be baptized
by Pastor Jeff Lee on January 22, 2017. It was a very spiritual
moment in his life.
Leon became a devoted Christian in his
later years, but most recent in the latter months of his life. He
claimed this Bible verse as his own, and quoted it frequently…
Isaiah 41:10 which reads: 'Fear not, for I am with you; Be not
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help
you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Claiming that verse, one could often
hear him comment, "Whether I Live or Whether I Die… I Win
Either Way! It's in God's hands!" IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!
Leon departed from this life to his
home in Heaven on July 9, 2017. He was preceded in death by his
father, Leo.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy;
sisters, Clarice (Charli) and husband Tom Alexander, Lincoln, NE;
Millcine (Micki) and Husband, Jerry Siebert, Cedar Point, KS; brother
Dr. Dennis Scharenberg & wife, Phyllis, Wichita, KS; cousins that
lived in the home, Richard Heim & wife, Bev, Hesston, KS; Danny
Heim, Pine Hill, New Mexico; cousin, Pat Heim & wife Peggy,
Maize, KS; cherished nieces & nephews who graciously gave their
time and offered their love and support to their Uncle Leon, and
extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on
Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 3 P.M. at Aulne United Methodist Church,
Aulne, KS. Memorial contributions in Leon's name can be made to Aulne
United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.
Arrangements by Zeiner Funeral Home,
205 Elm, Marion, KS 66861. 620-382-2112. Online condolences at
www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.
