Leon Stoppel

Kenneth Leon Stoppel, age 93, passed away peacefully December 25, 2020 in Julesburg, CO. Born in Russell, KS, according to his birth certificate December 12, 1927. However, he celebrated his birthday December 11th for most of his life as that is the date his parents, Alexander and Lydia (Fritzler) Stoppel of Russell, KS. knew he was born. His German speaking Grandma Fritzler couldn't pronounce "Kenneth" easily so she called him Leon and it stuck. At an early age Leon worked in his dad's grocery store in Russell. He also got a job working at the theater making popcorn. During high school he worked at a motel as a night clerk. When bicycles were hard to come by, he convinced Coast to Coast Hardware to extend him credit for a bike. Without his parents' approval, he bought the bike so he could deliver Western Union telegrams to Walker Airbase servicemen.
Leon attended the University of Denver where he was president of Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated with a BS in Business Administration and a major in Advertising in 1949. He was in the Navy Reserves. He met the love of his life, Marcie McKee of Indianola, Iowa and they married in 1950, in the Lutheran Church, Denver. They lived in Claremore, OK; Longmont, CO; Winona, KS; then moved to Oakley where they raised their three children Cindy, Lori and Kevin. Leon farmed in Logan and Thomas Counties for many years. He was a member of the Wheat Growers Assoc. He had a real estate business. Leon became an inspector for organic grain production which led him to the Stretesky farm in Julesburg, CO. In 2002, as a trustee, Leon was instrumental in establishing the Wm Stretesky Foundation and contributed a great deal of revenue to the county over the past many years through his successful organic farming of Stretesky land. Leon was greatly respected and made many friends in Julesburg. He was especially known as an honest and generous man of many words.
Leon was a loving father and devoted husband. He attended church with his family faithfully. He left a priceless treasure in the many home movies he made of Christmas's and other occasions. As socialites, Leon and Marcie were members of Dance Club and formed close relationships with many Oakley couples of their generation. They traveled to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Florida, Branson and other places with special friends. They took numerous trips to visit family. Leon and Marcie enjoyed family meals, watching football, listening to Charles Stanley together. He was "Grandpa Great" to his grandkids.
During Leon's later years he developed very close friendships with people at his home as well as the Assisted Living Center. These close friends enjoyed his humor, his caring attitude, playing checkers or dice games and appreciated his attentive listening ear very much. He was "Papa" to many children.
Leon is survived by his daughter Cindy (Terry) Boger of Castle Rock, CO; daughter Lori (Mark) Talbott of Milton, FL; son Kevin (Brenda) Stoppel of Julesburg, CO; six grandchildren: Chandelle, Heather, Alicia, Whitney, Reesa and Levi; 18 great-grandchildren: Sam, Dellen, Payton, Kyle, Stephen, Isabella, Corwin, Amalia, Gretchen, Kevin, Jaxson, Caleb, Isaac, Jeremiah, Seren, Seth, Sela, Summer; and nephews Jay and Torey.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marcie; brother, Marland; grand-daughters: Jessica Talbott, Heidi Talbott Clark; and great-grandson, Alex Talbott.
Celebration of Life Service is 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the United Christian Church of Oakley with Pastor Bob Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30th at the Church.
Memorials: United Christian Church of Oakley, Wm Stretesky Foundation, Jacob & Anne Walter Memorial Living Center, and Hospice of the Plains may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.
Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com.