Anna Mary Leiker

Anna M. Leiker passed away Monday, September 29, 2014 at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado at the age of 88. She was born April 28, 1926 to Henry and Anna (Haffner) Ochs on the family farm in Sheridan County, Kansas. She was united in marriage to Julius A. Leiker at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park, Kansas. They were blessed with four children, Richard “Rick”, Judy, Donald, and Jean. From the time she was young, Anna was no stranger to hard work. Starting with the family farm she grew up on, where she helped take care of her brothers and sisters, to raising her own family, to babysitting children for 23 years, she never seemed to tire from loving, serving, and caring for those around her. She did it all. She was a great cook, a great farmhand, a great homemaker, a great mother, a great wife, and a great friend and neighbor. Along with work, Anna also knew how to have fun. Life was a journey to be embraced. She loved to travel and took opportunities to experience different parts of the world with every one of her children. In recent years, you could find her taking bus tours and playing her favorite slot machines. Anna is survived by her sons Richard “Rick” Leiker and wife Marilyn of Hoxie, and Donald “Don” Leiker and wife Delilah of Goodland; daughters Judy Bell of Parker, CO, and Jean Modin and husband John of Bennington; brother Henry Ochs, Jr. and wife Helen Jo of Hoxie; sisters Elenora Ruppert of California, and Linda Wood of Hays; six grandchildren, Mark Leiker and wife Danelle, Julie Donaldson and husband John, Laura Brown and husband Kyle, Shelby Modin, Karen Leiker, and Kelsey Maoudj and husband Mike; three great-grandchildren, Shaylee, Layton, and Daxton Leiker; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Anna Ochs, husband Julius Leiker, brothers Clem, Steve, and Wendolin Ochs, and sisters Dorothy Wasnalas, and Clara Coppen. Anna literally lived and breathed her family, her church, and her Lord. All of these were so deeply rooted in her heart and soul that she never lost sight of any of them. Together they brought her joy, strength, and comfort even as she brought joy, strength, and comfort to everyone she knew. Although she will be greatly missed, certainly we rejoice as she now hears these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord!” Reception: St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church