Leo Harold Baum, 98, passed away July 25, 2022, at Country Place Senior Living Memory Care, Hoisington. He was born Aug. 28, 1923, at Susank, to Andrew and Katherine (Schmidt) Baum. Leo married Loretta Jean Cronn Dec. 12, 1949, in Russell. They celebrated 72 years of marriage last December.
Leo, a resident of Hoisington since 1970, and coming from Paradise, Kan., was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia. Following his honorable discharge on March 29, 1947, he worked in the oilfield, the Helium Plant in Otis, and later, as a tool pusher for Mohawk Drilling. In his later years, he was employed at Great Bend Feeding as a night watchman. Leo enjoyed fishing, music, playing his guitar, and spending time with family. He was a Life member of the V.F.W., Russell, and was a devoted member of the Christian faith, accepting Christ at the age of 18. Leo shaped his life around his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and made it his life's work to embrace and spread the Word.
Survivors include his wife Loretta of the home; two sons, Leo Baum, Jr. (Vicky) of Rusk, Texas, and Gordon Baum (Karen) of Buchannon, W. Va.; two daughters, Ginger Cotten (Joe) of Hoisington, and Brenda Roat (Damon Phelps) of Hoisington; son-in-law Terry Hekele of Great Bend; grandchildren, LC Baum, Bri Foresman, Kim Gould, Angela Gould, Tina Harman, Cassie Andrews, Kristin Wilt, Terri Umphres, Tiffany Hekele, Tyann Hekele, Micah Cotten, Sarah Simic, Rebekah Ohlde, Joey Cotten, Kristin Roat, DJ Miller and Trenton Roat; 22 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, George Baum of Great Bend and Jake Baum (Mary) of Kansas City, Kan.; and two sisters, Hilda Jacobs of Gorham and Lydia Kaufman (Gary) of Great Bend. He was preceded in passing by his daughter, Leota Hekele; and siblings, Helen Wolford, Mary Mermis, Edward Baum, Josephine Shreve, Rosie Thompson, Margaret Bissett, Viola Brown, Kenny Baum and Emil Baum.
Cremation has taken place and services are pending with Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Church of the Nazarene, Hoisington, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.