Rex Leben

Rex Walter Leben was born Aug. 18, 1923, in Amherst to Walt and Anna Schmidt Leben and passed away March 8, 2008. He was baptized into the Lutheran church Sept. 2, 1923, and confirmed in March 1937, both in St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He attended parochial and public schools in Amherst. Rex entered the Army in 1943 and served during World War II in Africa and Italy. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and several campaign ribbons. He spent most of his life farming in the Amherst community and six years in business with his brothers and brother-in-law with Leben and Kramer Ready Mix. He was associated with close friend Claude Jung for more than 30 years in both farming and business. In 1958, he married Helen Jecminek. Helen had five children and he took them into his heart and became their dad. Two more children were born into this family. Rex's relationship with his Lord was the most important thing in the world to him. For 40 years he served in church offices, including elder, trustee, board of education, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, stewardship board and chairman of the congregation. He served at both St. Paul's in Amherst and Zion Lutheran in Holyoke. He also was a charter member of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department and actively served for 13 years. Rex and Helen moved to Fort Collins in 1999 because of his health issues. While his body was failing him, his mind was not, and he remained an active conversationalist and family adviser. He is survived by his wife, Helen; and seven children, Charles Jecminek Sonja of Roanoke, Va., Al Jecminek Lorraine of Tuscon, Ariz., Gloria Lewis Forest of Rochester, N.Y., David Jecminek Susan of Loveland, Dan Jecminek Elaine of Greeley, Pam Kropp Fred of Fort Collins and Ryan Leben Tina of China Grove, N.C. He also is survived by 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren with one on the way. He also is survived by sisters, Fern Mast of Delta, Utah, Betty Brown Gene of Golconda, Ill., Fay Rockwell Gene of Rifle, brother, Wayne Leben of Wray and sister-in-law, Yvonne Wernet Boyce of Holyoke. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Ray; and sister-in-law, Virginia Leben. He was so grateful for the excellent care he received on numerous occasions at Poudre Valley Hospital, especially the compassion of the surgical unit staff and the respiratory therapists. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church, 1412 W. Swallow Road in Fort Collins with a graveside service at 3 p.m. at Holyoke Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Lutheran World Relief Kenya or the Ysletta Mission Mexico in care of Peace with Christ Lutheran Church or Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com . Even though we know he is walking with Jesus, he was a loving dad and grandpa and he will be sorely missed.