Leroy J. Kerkman

LeRoy J. Kerkman, 74 of Elgin, NE died unexpectedly Tuesday, September 22, 2020 as the result of an accident on his farm southeast of Elgin, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, NE with Rev. Kevin Vogel officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 229 and VFW Post 5816 of Elgin. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. Current Covid-19 DHM's in effect, including social distancing, will be followed at both the visitation and mass.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, NE is in charge of arrangements.

LeRoy Joseph Kerkman, son of August and Helen (Meis) Kerkman, was born March 26, 1946 at Norfolk, NE.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Church, attended St. Boniface School, and graduated from St. Boniface High School in Elgin, NE. He entered the United States Army and served in Vietnam before receiving an honorable discharge. He continued his education in Electrical Technology at Milford Technical College, graduating in July 1971.

On April 8, 1972, LeRoy was united in marriage to Linda Marie Weiland at St. Leonard's Catholic Church in Madison, NE. They lived and farmed northeast of Elgin, NE for nine years before purchasing and moving to the Kerkman home place southeast of Elgin. They were blessed with four children: Julie, Jeremie, Jared and Jesse. Along with farming, LeRoy was an active member of St. Boniface Church, Knights of Columbus and NEN-CAP. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5816 and the American Legion Post 229 and was involved in the consolidation of the two groups to form the Elgin Veteran's Club. He routinely helped with military rites at funerals and participated in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs. In 2006, he was appointed to fill out a term on the county board of supervisors and after being re-elected twice he served in that capacity until 2016. He served terms on the school boards of Pope John Central Catholic and Elgin Public schools, St. Boniface Finance Committee, Boone County Health Center Foundation Board and was a longtime member of St. Boniface Choir. He was passionate and faithful about donating blood and regularly encouraged others to do the same. He was a patient and thoughtful man who dearly loved his God and family.

LeRoy was fond of his old tractors and was a member of the Rae Valley Heritage Association. He enjoyed driving his JD 720 tractor in parades and looked forward to retiring so he had more time to restore his Olivers.

He is survived by his wife Linda of Elgin; his children: Julie (Ron) Saathoff of York, NE; Jeremie (Jaime) Kerkman of Lincoln, NE; Jared (Laura) Kerkman of Palmyra, NE; Jesse (Lindsay) Kerkman of Lincoln, NE; eight grandchildren: Zach, Tyler, Justin, Elle, Trevor  and Charlotte Kerkman, Alex and Josh Saathoff; one sister LaVonne (Chip) Miller of Sheldon, IA;  two brothers: Leland (Rita) Kerkman of Fremont, NE; Leon (Annette) Kerkman of Cypress, TX; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Emma Kerkman.