Leonard J. Deters, 77, of Baileyville, died on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Leonard Joseph Deters was born on September 1, 1939 on the family farm south of Baileyville to Anthony and Barbara Hulsing Deters. He attended Baileyville School and graduated from the 8th grade. As a young man he stayed home and helped his father on the family farm.

Leonard served in the Army Reserves for four years, entering on October 19, 1957 and discharged on April 18, 1958 as a E-2. He took his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri.

On April 26, 1960 Leonard married Barbara M. Harter, at the Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville. The couple made their home on farmed south of Baileyville, where he lived until his death.

Leonard served on the Board of Directors of Vliets and Nemaha County Co-op. He also served on Black Vermillion Watershed District Board, and the Parish Council. Leonard was an Eucharistic minister of Sacred Heart Parish, Baileyville for many years. Leonard’s “hobby” was his farming and working the land; taking care of his livestock. He was a humble man, talented to build, fix or repair anything.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Deters; and six sisters, Henrietta Deters (infant), Dolores Schmitz, Evelyn Olberding, Rita Schmitz, Dorothy Cain and Elizabeth “Betty” Kramer.

Survivors include his wife Barbara of the home, Connie (Roy) Winkler of Kelly, Wanda (Bob) Sharon of Kansas City, Kansas, Brenda (Kevin) Stephenson of Red Hill, Pennsylvania, Mike (Barbara) Deters of Kansas City, Missouri and Neil Deters of the home; a brother, Linus (Reva) Deters of Seneca; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed on Sunday, March 19th at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, March 20, 2017 at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for COINS for a Cause, Relay for Life and/or the Kelly Youth Rally, sent in care of the family.