LeRoy Bernard Deters, 88 of Baileyville, Kansas died Wednesday, September 6, 2023 peacefully surrounded by his family at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Leroy was born on April 9, 1935 in the Axtell Hospital to Bernard and Anna (Wiltz) Deters.  He grew up on a dairy farm on the west end of Baileyville. LeRoy attended Baileyville School through the 8^th grade. He then went to work on the family farm.

LeRoy had the desire to serve his country, but was unable due to his asthma and health.

LeRoy helped lay 36 Highway through Seneca in his late teen years and also helped build the Axtell Hospital.

On May 23, 1959 he married Gladys Ann Henry at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Seneca. LeRoy and Gladys celebrated 64 years of marriage this last May. The couple was supposed to be married on May 9^th but LeRoy was in an accident the week of the wedding. With his bride being anxious to marry her love they postponed the wedding only two weeks and LeRoy was married in a back brace.

The newlyweds lived on a dairy farm north of Centralia and farmed until his health no longer allowed him to dairy in 1965. They then moved to a homestead east of Baileyville.

LeRoy started Nemaha Valley Motors with his brother-in-law Val Schmitz in the same year. He sold many vehicles over the years between coffee breaks at the Diner across the street where they solved the world’s problems!  He continued to grow the business until retiring in 1991. If only they would have kept that Super Bird!

In 1968 LeRoy and Gladys built a house just west of Baileyville where he resided until his death. LeRoy enjoyed watching the traffic on the highway and watching the equipment go buy as farmers were in the fields.

LeRoy’s love of row crop farming and raising cattle led him back to the business in the early 1980’s. He loved seeing the cattle out the east window of the house and the calves in the spring. His old tractors, green or red, were his pride a joy!

LeRoy had many joys along with cars, cattle and farming. He enjoyed his many collections that he spent hours looking through. Countless hours he spent on the shore or in a boat fishing from Texas to Minnesota. He hunted deer from Nemaha County to Wyoming to collect the trophies for his wall for them to only be turned into Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer at Christmas time!

LeRoy enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren down at “The Pond” where they camped, swam and fished for many years.  His kids and grandkids were his pride and joy. He loved to hear what they were doing and give his little pieces of advice.

LeRoy loved to play cards with friends, dancing with Gladys, listening to polka, watching the Royals, Chiefs, K-State and KU ballgames. John Wayne and westerns were a great love.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Anna, brothers Lester of Corning, Urban of Oneida, Raymond of Seneca, Alvin of Baileyville, Merlin of Baileyville, and an infant brother and sisters Lucille Beckman of Wetmore, and Shirley Banks of Topeka.

He was survived by his wife of the home Gladys (Henry), Sons Timothy and Nancy (Heiman) of Baileyville, Randy and Laurie (Koelzer) of Lincoln, NE, Roger and Deb (Ronnebaum) of Centralia, Russell of Seneca. Daughters, Tammy and Darren Holthaus of Seneca and Julie and Dean Sudbeck of Seneca. Grandchildren 18, Great Grandchildren 16 and 2 Step Great Grandchildren. Siblings Bernard of Baileyville, Alicia Burdick of Sabetha, Aurea Schmitz of Seneca, Dwaine of Seneca and Eugene of Branson, MO.

Rosaries will be prayed Sunday September 10, 2023 at 2 PM and 7 PM at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville, Kansas. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday September 11, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, KS.

Memorials will be given to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. LeRoy feels very strongly in supporting our local hospitals that will serve everyone. LeRoy has received excellent care over the many years that we are very grateful for.