LeRoy Leonard Braun, son of Leonard and Regina (Dreiling) Braun was born October 27, 1939, in rural Ellis county and departed this life on October 21st, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, following a farming accident. LeRoy was just a few days shy of celebrating his 78th birthday.

LeRoy attended country schools in Phillips County and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1957. On November 11, 1961, he was united in marriage to Thelma Chestnut at the St. John Catholic Church in Logan, Kansas. To this union they had 7 children: David, Regina, Rhonda, Rolanda, Roxanna, Delton and Rebecca.

The couple spent the beginning of their married life in Glade, Kansas, where LeRoy worked for Seibert Sand Company driving a truck. He later took a job at Farmland Refinery where he worked until he retired in November 2001 after 32 years of service. In 1973 the family moved from their home in Glade to the Williams's farm south of Glade where they farmed while LeRoy continued to work full time at Farmland. In 1987 they retired from farming and moved east of Phillipsburg. Deciding retirement wasn't for him, LeRoy formed Braun Custom Harvesting and did custom cutting and grader work. He loved to farm, and it was in his DNA even though farming was tough on his body.

In his early twenties LeRoy enjoyed racing horses and even had a horse that won a couple of races at the Centennial in Denver, Colorado. He enjoyed motorcycles and recently showed his children that he could still ride one. He was a member of the SS Phillip & James Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. One of LeRoy's favorite past times was bowling and he belonged to a bowling league for many years until he was forced to give it up for health reasons.

LeRoy's greatest joy in life was his family. He loved all the family gatherings for holidays, birthdays or other special occasions. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great grandchildren's school activities and sporting events. LeRoy always had a smile on his face and an ornery twinkle in his eye, and he never met a stranger. He loved ice cream, beer and good old country music. He was always willing to help others and could build and repair about anything.

LeRoy is survived by two sons: David Chestnut and wife Christina of Franklin, Nebraska and Delton Braun and wife Gina of Logan, Kansas; five daughters: Regina Borthwick and husband Alan of Hays, Kansas; Rhonda Stegmaier and husband Randy of Phillipsburg, Kansas; Rolanda Capps and husband Rick of Kirwin, Kansas; Roxie Braun of Phillipsburg; and Becky Davis of Waverly, Nebraska. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Braun and wife Norma of Stockton, Kansas; and a sister, Barbara Zimmerman and husband Kenny of Hays, Kansas; a brother-in-law, Doyle Johnson of Phillipsburg; and three sisters-in-law, Willa Chestnut of Glade, Kansas; Marilyn Chestnut of Phillipsburg; and Nancy Chestnut of Hays, Kansas along with many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his wife Thelma, his parents, grandsons Dakota Stegmaier and Bill Chestnut and his sister Judy Bennett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2017 in the SS Philip & James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade.

LeRoy will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral chapel. Family will receive friends following the Rosary until 8:30 p.m.