Richard A. Leth, 75, Hartley

A memorial service for Richard A. Leth was held Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, at the Hartley Funeral Home Chapel in Hartley. Pastor Jacob Sandholm officiated.

Honorary pallbearers were Bryan Leth, Brandon Finney, Jeffrey Harig, Broderic Leth, Travis Sterler, Blake Leth, Brittney Leth, Jacob Harig, Ryan Sterler and Jared Leth. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley, with military graveside rites conducted by the Hartley American Legion, Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Richard Albert “Rich” Leth was born on Feb. 27 1947, at the home of his parents, Albert “Slats” and Lucille “Dolly” (Kuntz) Leth, in Hartley. He spent his childhood and attended school in the Hartley area. After enlisting in the United States Navy on Aug. 27, 1965, Rich completed his education and received his GED.

Rich served his country during the Vietnam War. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Outstanding Unit Award from the Air Force for his service onboard the Air Transron Eight. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on Aug. 26, 1969.

During his time in active service, Rich was united in marriage to Carol Joyce Vogel on Oct. 26, 1965 at the home of her parents, Kryn and Hilda Vogel, in Sheldon. The newlyweds began their life together in Mountain View, Calif. while Rich was stationed at NAS Moffett Field. Five children were born to this union: Ric, Rhonda, Renee, Rita and Roger.

Over the years Rich had worked in construction, drove semi and had been employed with several different companies: Paullina Tile Factory, Sorensen Farm Drainage, A&B Welding and Stofferan Excavating, to name a few. His variety of work experience left him with lots of good memories and plenty of stories to recall working alongside his brothers and close friends for most of his life.

Rich was an outdoorsman; he loved to hunt and fish and take in all that nature had to offer. He found it important to pass down to his children and grandchildren a true appreciation of the great outdoors. Shooting pool was another of his favorite pastimes. Playing on a pool league oftentimes meant shooting with – or against – many family members! Either way it never really mattered and everyone just had fun. Rich was always up for a good game of cribbage, trying his luck at a casino or maybe, just maybe, being the one holding the winning lottery ticket.

Rich passed from this life on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, following injuries sustained in a truck accident near Havelock. He was 75 years of age. Preceding him in death were his wife, Carol Leth; his parents, Slats and Dolly Leth; his mother and father-in-law, Kryn and Hilda Vogel; brothers: Jack (Sylvia) Brehmer, Ray Brehmer, Ronnie Brehmer, Denny Leth and Terry (Pam) Leth; sister, Sally (Alvin) Stephens; and brother and sister-in-law, Clifford and Glenda Boone.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Ric (special friend, Janet), of Amarillo, Texas; Rhonda Petitt, of Hartley; Renee (Bill) Sterler, of Sanborn; Rita (Steve) Wetrich and Roger (Jen) Leth, all of Hartley; 10 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald (Susan) Leth; sisters-in-law: Elaine Brehmer, Marjorie Brehmer, JoAnne Leth and Mavis Vogel; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.