Leonard P. Dicke

Leonard P Dicke was born on April 29, 1928, along with his twin sister Letha, to Henry and Margaret (Meyer) Dicke on a farm near Wauneta, Nebraska. He was the only boy with two older sisters; his twin (with whom he had a very special bond) and a younger sister before his brother arrived.

He passed from this life on October 13, 2024 peacefully, at Kinship Pointe, his home for the last few years.

During the depression, the family moved to a farm near Stratton surrounded by many Dicke family members. Life on the farm was very hard, just imagine one outhouse for 8 people, no electricity or running water. The family thrived on love, laughter, and fun. Leonard, his dad and brother, were all avid hunters and fishermen (Leonard earned 8 Master Angler awards).

Recently, when asked if he'd ever missed the opening day of pheasant season, he replied, "I'm a Dicke! We'd never miss opening day."

As WWII engulfed the country, Leonard attended and graduated High School in Stratton. He was a superb athlete in many sports, particularly baseball. He hired out as a pitcher and first baseman to small town teams getting $5 per game. But there was another activity he enjoyed and from which he earned most of his spending money and that took place in the local pool hall. His preferred game was snooker, but he also excelled at pool. Many a time he would wait until there was enough money on the rail and then he'd simply run the table and pocket his winnings.

At the end of WWII, Leonard enlisted in the Army Air Corp (which later became the Air Force) and was stationed in Okinawa where he became a Chief Officer packing parachutes. He also became an amateur boxer and won many matches on his base. After returning home, he started working for the State Highway Department, from which he retired after 40 years as a Project Manager. It was on his first posting in Franklin where he met the love of his life, his wife Shirley, they were inseparable for 71 years.

After marriage, Leonard and Shirley eventually moved to McCook where they raised their three children. They enjoyed playing bridge, church activities, and later in life they took up golf. But, the most important part of their lives was family. Idyllic summer weekends were spent at Swanson lake with lots of extended family gathering for boating, fishing, BBQs and fun. His nieces and nephews will never forget the epic 4th of July parties on Trail 7, camping trips with the three kids were an integral part of every summer with trips to Colorado and even Canada.

Upon retirement, Leonard and Shirley became Snowbirds with their 5th wheel RV and spent the winter months in Casa Grande, Arizona with a group of McCook friends for many years of golf, cards, casinos and relaxation. And yes, they had both a Herbie Husker sign AND the obligatory howling coyote statue outside their door.

Leonard was a lifelong diehard Husker fan (all sports) and one of the highlights was getting to attend the 1995 Fiesta Bowl to watch his beloved team trounce Florida. Even in his last years he watched everything he could and always wore his red Husker shirt on game days.

Leonard's sense of humor was legendary (as were some of his practical jokes). He always had a new story or joke, but his family will mostly associate him with all the crazy puzzles he'd pull out to baffle his nieces, nephews, and grandkids. It's no surprise he was immensely popular with all of them.

His was a life well lived full of joy and laughter. He suffered great tragedies with the death of two of his children, a granddaughter, and his beloved wife, but he still kept his upbeat attitude, zest for life, and remarkable sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. Death leaves a heartache no-one can heal, love leaves a memory no-one can steal.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, all his sisters (Doris, Donna, Letha and Marjorie), his son Larry, daughter Karen and granddaughter Chantal. He is survived by his brother Hank and wife Val, daughter Janice and son-in-law Jim, sister-in-law Lorene and husband Rodney Richter, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

 A private family internment will be held at a later date.  

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

 McCook Community Foundation, PO Box 525, McCook NE, 69001

or online at

https://chi.mccook.org/foundation