Leon S. Ditus

Leon S. Ditus, age 92, died Thursday, March 13, 2014 at St Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born February 18, 1922 at Burdett, the son of Carl Fredrick & Marie Elizabeth (Thell) Ditus. Leon married Lorena M. Smith on July 5, 1941 at Garfield. She died on September 15, 2001.

Leon graduated from Burdett High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his discharge he returned to the family business in Burdett involving farming, the International Harvester Dealership, sale barns in McCook, Nebraska, Burlington, Colorado and Burdett where he was the auctioneer. He moved to Garden City in 1975 and gaged gas wells for the Kansas Corporation Commission until he retired. He was an avid Kansas University sports fan and enjoyed playing golf. He was on the 2013 Kansas Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He was a Life Member of Masonic Lodge, and member of te American Legion Post of Burdett, and the Burdett Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 2 brothers- Verner F. Ditus & William C, Ditus and an infant sister- Nellie Lois Ditus.

Survivors include his 3 sons, Douglas L. & Sharon K. Ditus of Elizabeth, Colorado, Gregory S. & Glenda M. Ditus of Fort Collins, Colorado, Fredrick G. & Vonah A. Ditus of Hawaii; daughter, Jeannie S. Ryan of Garden City; brother-in-law, Lewis Smith of Abilene; 10 grandchildren 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service: 11:00 AM on Monday, March 17, 2014 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with Rev. David Bell officiating.

Interment: Browns Grove Cemetery in Burdett. 

Memorials may be given to the Masonic Lodge in care of Garnand Funeral Home.