Leonard G. Wortman

Leonard G. Wortman, 94, of Fairbury, formerly of Beatrice, died on Friday, October 6, 2023 surrounded by his family at Cedarwood Assisted Living in Fairbury. He was born on February 28, 1929 to Emerson and Marie (Johnson) Wortman at his parent’s home near Hastings. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of Hastings. He attended parochial school in Hastings and received his GED while in Superior. Leonard served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War and earned a Purple Heart. He was on the first Honor Flight of Korean War vets to fly to Washington, D.C. Leonard married Evelyn Henkel on March 9, 1968 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Superior. He worked for the Nebraska Department of Roads for 42 years, retiring in 1995 as maintenance supervisor. After he retired, he was the manager for the car wash on North 6th Street in Beatrice for many years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Beatrice where he served as an Elder and on various committees. He was a former member and past president of the Lion’s Club and a member of the American Legion and VFW. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Wortman of Fairbury; daughter, Sharon (Tom) Heikes of Tecumseh, KS; son, James (Peter-John Sims) Vinkenberg of Kansas City; granddaughter, Chelsea Douglas; four great-grandsons, Justin, Jaxson, Hunter, and Thomas Douglas; sister, Delores Fullerton of Hastings; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Marie (Johnson) Wortman; sister, Esther (Ralph) Wilton. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Beatrice with Pastor Daryn Bahn officiating. Interment will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice with military rites conducted by Bitting-Norman Post #27 of the Beatrice American Legion. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home on Monday, October 16th from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The family will greet relatives and friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family’s choice. www.foxfuneralhome.net Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.

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