LeRoy E. Engelhart

Leroy Earl Engelhart, 67, of Walthill, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2011 at the Pender Community Hospital following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Light of the World Gospel Ministries in Walthill, Nebraska, with Rev. Paul Malcomson officiating. There will be no visitation prior to services. Leroy was born on October 14, 1943, the second of three children born to Elise (Lutjen) and Earl Engelhart of rural Emerson, Nebraska. He attended District school and Public School in Emerson. While at home, Leroy helped work on the family farm and learned to ride horses at an early age. After leaving school at the age of 16, Leroy worked for local farmers, Campbell's Manufacturing in Walthill, and helped build the Armour Packing House in West Point, NE. He was also a self taught auto mechanic. On November 10, 1962, Leroy married Waltraud Edith Semrau and to this union two children were born. Steven Arthur Engelhart of Walthill, and Teresa Christine Rutar of Pender. Leroy worked various jobs through the years until 1972 when he became injured in a car accident on his way to work at IBP in Dakota City, NE. It was at this time in Leroy's life that he found the Lord and became a born again Christian who loved to share the gospel message with anyone and everyone who would listen. His hobbies included work, mechanics, hunting and fishing, and also evangelizing the gospel. He loved his family and friends, and would help anyone in need. Leroy is survived by his two children, Steven Engelhart and his wife Cindy of Walthill, NE, Teresa Rutar and her husband Richard of Pender, NE, Grandchildren: Derek and Trevor Bargmann and Christopher Rutar all of Pender, step grandchildren Craig, Eric and Brent Kuehler and Nathan, Heather, Adam and Daniel Rutar. He is also survived by a sister, Janet Harder of Emerson and a brother, Marvin Engelhart of Vermillion, SD, cousin and caregiver Connie Price of Walthill, and special friend, Ella Clark of Meckling, SD. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Lawrence (Tom) Harder, and one step grandchild, Jared Rutar.