Leonard "Len" L. Lichti

Leonard L. "Len" Lichti, age 96, of rural Hesston, passed away peacefully on June 7, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born April 6, 1922 in Shickley, NE, the youngest child of Samuel and Magdelena (Schrock) Lichti, of Beaver Crossing, NE. Len married Opal Roth in 1944, in Milford, NE. Opal passed away in 1986. He married Pearl Garber in 1988, in Hesston, KS. Pearl passed away in 2001. Len loved his role as both student and teacher. He received degrees from Hesston College, Goshen College, University of Nebraska, Kansas University, and Emporia State. After serving in CPS during WWII, he taught school in Nemaha, NE before moving to Hesston, KS in 1950. Len was a professor and administrator at Hesston College from 1950 to 1973. He worked at Excel Industries as Production Control Manager from 1973 until his retirement in 1990. Always active in the community, Len served on the Hesston City Council from 1965 to 1977 and was a member of Hesston Mennonite Church. Len shared his life’s passion for learning with his family and loved ones. He was dedicated to helping others discover their potential and pursue the unlimited possibilities of life. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, bowling, playing pool, puzzles, and many hours of card games with family. Len and Opal had seven children: Roger (Esther Sundell), Montgomery, VT, Norman (Vicki Gardner), Newton, KS, Thomas (Marla Tatro), Wichita, KS, Joy (Bruce) Rogers, Elkhart, IN, Carol (Lee) Birch, Hesston, KS, Loren (Cindy Smith), Arvada, CO, and Jan (Stephen) Nichols, Cross Roads, TX. He has 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, four sisters, and a grandson, Ethan Lichti. A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, July 3 at 10:30 AM at Hesston Mennonite Church. Visitation with family will also be at Hesston Mennonite Church on Monday, July 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Len will be forever remembered by his large extended family as a wise, generous and fun-loving father, grandfather and uncle. Memorial donations in memory of Len may be made to Good Samaritan Caring Fund, a ministry of Schowalter Villa, and mailed to Miller-Ott Funeral Home, P.O. Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Leonard "Len" L. Lichti

April 6, 1922 - June 7, 2018