Omer Malpert Leech

Omer Malpert Leech, son of William and Trena (Malpert) Leech was born in Humboldt, Nebraska on October 25, 1925.  He was baptized in the Pleasant View Church of rural Humboldt where he attended until the church closing.  He then transferred his membership to the Humboldt United Methodist Church where he was a member for the rest of his life on earth.

Omer attended Maple Grove rural school from first grade through fourth grade.  He attended Bratton Union Consolidated School from grade five through twelve, graduating in 1942.

After graduation, he farmed with his father and his brother Myron until he was inducted in the Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on February 4, 1945.  His military training took him to Fort Hood, Texas and then to William Beaumont Army Hospital at El Paso, Texas.  It was there that he was trained as a medical technician.  After additional training at Fort Lawton, Washington, he was sent to Oahu, Hawaii where he worked in a medical hospital.   Omer was awarded several medals during his time of service to his country.  He was honorably discharged in September of 1946.

On returning to Nebraska he again farmed with his father and brother as Will Leech and Sons.  After the death of his father, he and his brother continued to farm as Leech Brothers.

On June 2, 1948, Omer was united in marriage to Harriett J. Smith, daughter of Harry and Edith Smith of Humboldt. Rev. Long of the Humboldt Christian Church performed the ceremony.  The couple established their home north of Humboldt where they farmed and raised livestock. To this union two children were born, Debra and Leslie.

Omer and Harriett moved into Humboldt in 1998 at the time of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Fifteen years later their family joined them to celebrate their sixty-fifth anniversary.  Just nine days before his passing, on June 2, 2017 Omer and Harriett celebrated sixty-nine years of marriage.

During their marriage, Omer and Harriett accomplished a personal goal of visiting all fifty states.  For many years, the couple wintered in Arizona. They also traveled to fourteen European countries plus Australia, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Mexico and Canada.  They enjoyed having their children and grandsons accompany them to Aruba and to Hawaii more than once. 

After Omer retired, he and Harriett took golf lessons.  They golfed in Kansas before the Kirkman’s Golf Course was completed.  Omer was thrilled when on July 12, 1997 he hit a hole-in-one.

Omer passed away at the Colonial Acres Extended Care Facility in Humboldt, Nebraska on June 21, 2017 at the age of ninety-one years, eight months and eleven days.

Omer was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Erma Leech Reid, a brother-in-law, Charles Reid of Auburn, Nebraska, a sister-in-law Imogene O. Leech of Humboldt and one niece, Elaine Comer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Harriett; daughter Debra Leech Coombs of Denver, Colorado; son Leslie and daughter-in-law Christine Leech of Omaha, Nebraska; grandsons Adam and is wife Cori Leech of Boston Massachusetts, Aaron Leech of Louisville, Kentucky, Nathan and his wife Claire of Peoria, Illinois; brother Myron and sister-in-law JoAnn Leech of Humboldt, brother-in-law Chuck and his wife Marian Smith of Lincoln; Nephews, Terry and wife Jerri Leech of Nebraska City, Van and wife Kay Leech of Humboldt, John and wife Molly Smith of Seattle, Washington, and Todd Smith of Des Moines, Iowa and by his nieces, Pam and husband Claren Keithly of Brandon, South Dakota and Rhea and husband Dan McGinn of Omaha.  He is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held  at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at the United Methodist Church of Humboldt, Nebraska.   Pastors Dorothy Smith and Howard Blecha are officiating.  Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church of Humboldt or the Pleasant View Cemetery.

In order to help further medical science, Omer donated his body to the anatomical board of Nebraska in Omaha. Inurnment with full military rites by Harvey-Mann Post 269 American Legion and Nebraska Color Guard and will be at a later date. 

 Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

 Wherry Mortuary, Humboldt is in charge of arrangements. 

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