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Leon Abe Epp was born November 4, 1941 to Cornelius Friesen and Eva Dorothea (Pankratz) Epp in Hardtner, Kansas. Leon was raised with three brothers and two sisters on a farm near Burrton, Kansas. Leon graduated from Burrton High School in 1960, then went on to Bethel College and Emporia State University, earning a degree in Math Education. Leon’s first high school teaching position was in Cherryvale, Kansas in 1965 where he met Carol Wade, the older sister of one of his high school math students, Johnny Wade. Leon married Carol Wade on July 30, 1966 in Cherryvale, Kansas. Leon and Carol enjoyed 55 years of marriage. This union produced three children: one boy and two girls.
Leon was hired as a high school math teacher at Halstead High School in 1967 where he taught math for 25 years. After retiring from this position, Leon and Carol moved to Independence, Kansas where he worked in an environmental chemistry company and taught an evening math class at Independence Community College. In 1995 he was hired at Cessna where he helped manufacture airplanes until 2007 before retiring from this position. After retirement, Leon helped his wife Carol work with many foster children until they both retired from foster care in 2020.
During his life, Leon enjoyed building projects; reading his Bible and devotional books; sitting on his deck in nature; and holding his dog Chester. He built two houses and remodeled many other houses. Leon was saved in February of 2000 in a revival in Phoenix, AZ, and he was sanctified a few years later. He was a faithful layman in the Wesleyan Holiness Alliance church in Independence, Kansas, for many years. He was faithful to testify, encourage, and continually support his pastor and fellow brethren. Most of all, he was a faithful husband, father, and grandfather. His family was very blessed by his example. His work ethic and quiet, spiritual strength were exemplary.
At the age of 80, Leon passed away on February 8, 2022 at a hospital in Parsons, Kansas. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James, and his brother-in-law Glenn. Survivors include sister-in-law Kathy; sister Greta; brother Carl and wife Jean; brother Gary and wife Jan; sister SuZan and husband Rodney; son Jeff and wife Dixie; daughter Tamara and husband Russell; daughter Regina and husband Gareth; fifteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He will be forever in our hearts and greatly missed. Visitation will be at Potts Chapel, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Independence, Kansas from 3 to 5 PM Sunday on February 13th. The funeral will be at the First Church of the Nazarene Independence, Kansas at 1 PM on February 14th.