Leroy E. Huelskamp

Leroy E. Huelskamp, 78, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away after post-surgical complications on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 in Pratt, KS.

Leroy was born on February 15, 1937 to Martin J. and Clara Gerber Huelskamp in Fowler, Kansas. He grew up helping out on the family farm near Fowler with siblings James, Florence, Betty, and Helen. He went on to graduate from Fowler High School in 1955 and attend business college in Hutchinson. At that time, he met his future wife Estelle Stegman. They were united in Holy Matrimony on August 2, 1958 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Plains, KS.

Leroy and Stellie were married for 55 years. The two shared a vivid passion for their faith, family, and farm. As a lifelong parishioner of St. Anthony’s, Leroy was deeply involved as an extraordinary Eucharist minister, faithful church communicant, First Friday devotee, lifetime honorary Knights of Columbus member, a volunteer for so many jobs around the parish, and an inspiring, constant witness of the faith he lived every day of his life. He was well known for his genuine kindness, wry humor, and ceaseless generosity, particularly his support of the local food bank and his service on the Fowler Nursing Home board.

Left to cherish Leroy’s memory are his 5 children, 25 grand-children, and 2 great-grand-children: daughter Geri Leibham of Scottsdale, AZ and daughters, Jacinda Jo (husband Jordan Blackwill and daughters Ava and Ariana) and Kendra; son Tom Huelskamp and wife Janet of Fowler and their children, McKaela, Luke, and Jacelyn; son Tim Huelskamp and wife Angela of Fowler/Hutchinson, and their children, Natasha, Rebecca, Athanasius and Alex; daughter Cynthia Swingle and husband Mike of Blue Springs, MO, and their children Monica, Rosalie, Christopher, Joseph, Dominic, Stephen, Sebastian, Victoria, Sophia, Gianna, Elizabeth, Mariana, Emma; daughter Tammi Schultz and husband Eric of Memamora, IL, and their children Peter, Anna, Molly. No matter the distance or the effort it may have required, he loved to spend so many of his days cheering on his children and grand-children in a myriad of education, church sports, 4-H, forensics, acting, music and other activities.

After college, Leroy remained on the family farm in Fowler, where he and Stellie farmed with Martin and Clara for many years. Following his parents’ retirement, Leroy continued to work the farm and raise cattle with his own sons. Until his final days, he remained actively engaged in farm management, on-farm research, and of course, his skillful all-around tinkering. He was a true conservationist and served for many years on the Meade County Conservation District Board, as well as the Board of the Fowler Equity.

The Rosary and Vigil will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fowler on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. The Mass… will also be held at St. Anthony’s on Friday, March 13 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Seminarian fund in care of the funeral home.