Leonard Lichti
Obituary
Leonard L. "Len" Lichti, 96,
of rural Hesston, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2018, at his home
surrounded by his family. He was born April 6, 1922, in Shickley,
Nebraska, the youngest child of Samuel and Magdelena (Schrock) Lichti
of Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Len married Opal Roth in 1944 in
Milford, Nebraska. Opal passed away in 1986. He married Pearl Garber
in 1988 in Hesston. Pearl passed away in 2001.
Len loved his role as both student and
teacher. He received degrees from Hesston College, Goshen College,
University of Nebraska, the University of Kansas and Emporia State
University. After serving in CPS during WWII, he taught school in
Nemaha, Nebraska, before moving to Hesston in 1950.
Len was a professor and administrator
at Hesston College from 1950 to 1973. He worked at Excel Industries
as Production Control Manager from 1973 until his retirement in 1990.
Always active in the community, Len served on the Hesston City
Council from 1965 to 1977 and was a member of Hesston Mennonite
Church.
Len shared his life's passion for
learning with his family and loved ones. He was dedicated to helping
others discover their potential and pursue the unlimited
possibilities of life. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, bowling,
playing pool, puzzles and many hours of card games with family.
Len and Opal had seven children: Roger
(Esther Sundell), Montgomery, Vermont; Norman (Vicki Gardner),
Newton; Thomas (Marla Tatro), Wichita; Joy (Bruce) Rogers, Elkhart,
Indiana; Carol (Lee) Birch, Hesston; Loren (Cindy Smith), Arvada,
Colorado; and Jan (Stephen) Nichols, Cross Roads, Texas. He has 21
grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; three brothers; four sisters; and a grandson, Ethan Lichti.
A Celebration of Life service will be
held at 10 :30 a.m. Tuesday (July 3, 2018) at Hesston Mennonite
Church. Visitation with family will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday
(July 2, 2018), also at Hesston Mennonite Church.
Len will be forever remembered by his
large extended family as a wise, generous and fun-loving father,
grandfather and uncle.
Memorial donations in memory of Len may
be made to Good Samaritan Caring Fund, a ministry of Schowalter
Villa, and mailed to Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS
67062.
