Leland Triplett

Leland S. Triplett, 88, of Kearney died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the Gibbon Good Samaritan Center. Funeral services will be 2 PM, Monday February 8 at O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney. The Rev. Rebecca Hjelle will officiate. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery with flag presentation by NE National Guard Honors Team in conjunction with the VFW 759 and American Legion Post 52 of Kearney. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family, to be designated later. On-line condolences may be submitted to osafh.com. O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. He was born February 25, 1921 in Kearney to Richard and Mary (Fowler) Triplett. He grew up in Kearney and graduated from Longfellow High School in 1938. After graduation, he worked as a messenger and clerk/operator for Western Union Telegraph in Kearney and Sidney. On August 2, 1942 he entered the U.S. Army. He served with 517th Battalion which was part of the Normandy invasion. He was honorably discharged on November 26, 1945. After his discharge, he lived in Kearney and Alliance, working at Sears Roebuck and Keenan Candy Co. in Kearney and a Ford dealership, Grantham Candy Co. and New Berry Hardware in Alliance. In 1949, he began working at the Union Pacific Freight Station in North Platte. He was transferred to Cleveland, OH, where he was the office manager for 27 years. He retired February 28, 1983 after more than 33 years of Union Pacific Service. He returned to Kearney in 1984. On June 11, 2003, he married Loretta (Heidemann) Reiss. His hobbies included bowling, golf, collecting audio, record and sound reproducing equipment, handyman projects, dancing, auto racing, playing cards and table games, listening to big band music, carnivals and auto trips. Survivors include his wife, Loretta of Kearney, nieces, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; 5 infant siblings; sisters, Jennie Butler and husband Grant, and Edith Lucile Stefanski and husband Roland; brother, Richard Triplett and wife Pauline; and nephew Gene Sanger.

Leland Triplett

February 25, 1921 - February 3, 2010