Leland "Lee" Kizer

Leland DeWayne Kizer was born on August 10, 1925, in Monroe, Nebraska, to parents Omer and Marie Kizer and passed from this life on June 12, 2025, at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home.

Lee's parents moved to Julesburg when he was very young. The family then welcomed brothers Omer (Duke) and Don, and sister Marilyn. Lee's parents raised their family in Julesburg, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Lee graduated from Julesburg High School in 1944 and was active in music and athletics throughout his school years. He was drafted into the United States Navy in 1944 and served on the destroyer USS Wilson. His ship was involved in numerous combat operations in the Pacific theatre, namely the Battle for Okinawa. It was during that battle that his destroyer was attacked and struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane, doing severe damage to the vessel and killing several shipmates. Lee was honorably discharged from the Navy at the conclusion of World War II in 1945.

Lee returned to Julesburg and, after earning his barber's license, went to work as a barber with Charlie Sullivan in Charlie's Barber Shop. He later partnered with Chuck Stone and continued in the barber business for many years. Lee continued to cut his patrons' hair into his 90s. He also owned and maintained several business and residential properties in Julesburg.

He married Glenna Mae Mong, who had come to Julesburg to teach school. They were married in 1955, and to that union, three children were born: Mary Ann, Kathy, and Kelly.

Lee was actively involved in the Julesburg community. He was a member of the Julesburg Volunteer Fire Department, Legion Post 105's Drum and Bugle Corps, and Rotary International. He also assisted in the promotion of youth baseball in Julesburg for many years. He served as Julesburg's mayor from 1976 to 1980.

He had many interests and hobbies and was an avid fan of all the Julesburg and Sedgwick County athletic teams and activities. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Glenna, reading history, listening to and playing music, and dancing with Glenna. Lee and Glenna were fans of University of Colorado football and were season ticket holders for over 40 years.

He established a personal museum in the Old Ford Garage in Julesburg and enjoyed providing tours to those interested in history.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Marie; his brother, Duke; and his sister, Marilyn. He is survived by his brother Don; his children: Mary Ann Neumann (Jim) of Centennial, Colorado; Kathy Fourcroy (Tony) of Fort Collins, Colorado; and Kelly Kizer (Tina) of Northglenn, Colorado.

Lee was grandfather to Emily Fourcroy, Sarah Giles (Neumann) (Tom), Grant Fourcroy, Sidney Baer (Kizer) (Brady), Kale Kizer (Cassie), and Brady Kizer, and great-grandfather to Nolan Smith and Sloan Baer.

Lee will be greatly missed by friends and family.

The funeral service will be held at Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel in Julesburg, Colorado, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the Hippodrome.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Gateway Medical Foundation or Fort Sedgwick Museum. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.