Burke DeLoy 'Swede' Leach

Aug. 24, 1926 - June 12, 2006

ORD -- Burke DeLoy "Swede" Leach, 79, formerly of Holdrege, died Monday (June 12, 2006) at the Valley County Health System in Ord.

He was born August 24, 1926, at Holdrege, the youngest of two children of Walter DeLoy and Edna Vail (Russel) Leach. He received his education from Holdrege and Mascot, graduating from Mascot High School with the class of 1944.

While still in high school, he began his career in construction and was employed by various construction companies. From 1950 - 1953, he worked as the youngest foreman on the Trenton Dam for Vanelle, United and Bell Construction Company. Swede was then employed by Mossbarger and Ems Construction Company of Arapahoe and later became part owner. Following the dissolving of this company, he was employed as the general superintendent of construction for Holloway Construction Company of Wixom, Mich. Among the projects he completed were: Chatfield Dam in Littleton, Colo., Bear Creek Dam in Morrison, Colo., Choke Canyon Dam in Three Rivers, Texas, and Aquilla Dam near Waco, Texas.

On September 1, 1973, he married Mary "Susan" Summer. Following his retirement in 1993, the couple made their home in Ord.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Lorraine Leach; a son from a previous marriage, Donald DeLoy Leach; and sister, Betty Darlene Hurlbert and her husband, Claire.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Leach of Ord; a daughter from a previous marriage, Sherry Stansberry of Kearney ; half-brother, Randy Leach and wife, Lois of Atlanta; step-siblings: Jerry Leach and wife, Saundra of Lincoln, and Sharon Frerking and husband, Ken of Beatrice; three step-children: Dennis R. Leach and wife, Francis of Morrison, Colo., Karen Wadas and husband, Richard, of Ord and Patricia Wadas and husband, Kevin, of Seward; three grandchidren; two step-grandchildren; and a host of additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren,

Memorial services will be conducted by the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, 11 a.m., Friday, June 23, with the Rev. Marion Miller officiating.

There will be no public visitation.

A memorial has been established in his memory to the Ord Volunteer Fire Dept.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.