Leonard N. Stephan

Leonard Nelson Stephan, passed away October 24, 2011, in Rocky Ford, at age 87. He was the second of four children born to Lee and Hazel Stephan. He was born on December 13, 1923 in Mason City, Iowa.

He grew up in Nortonville, Kansas and graduated in 1941. Leonard served as a Technical Sergeant in the Marine Corps from 1942-1946. On August 23, 1947 he married Nona Marie Kerr. They moved to Colorado in 1948 when Leonard was hired by the Santa Fe Railroad as a Station Operator; later becoming a Dispatcher. His work took them to several locations until they finally settled in La Junta in 1970.

They raised three daughters: Linda, Judy and Lynn. He retired from the Railroad in 1988. Leonard enjoyed traveling, golf, fishing and spending time with his family. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #701 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4091.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Hazel Stephan; sister, Donis Reser; brother Roland Stephan and daughter, Linda Vincent-Goodwin.

He is survived by his sister, Verna Young of Joplin, MO; wife, Nona Stephan of the home; daughters, Judy (Gordon) Ginther of Brush, CO and Lynn Gauna of La Junta, CO; six grandchildren, Kenneth (Kris) Baylor of Manzanola, CO; Jeffrey (Jan) Baylor of Las Animas, CO; Janelle Relerford of Sidney, NB; Kelly Taylor of Rocky Ford, CO; Rodney Ginther of Sidney, NB and Scott Milenski of Albuquerque, NM; fourteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

There will be no viewing. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm, at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the La Junta Rural Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 1066, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.