Philip Gerald "Jerry" Leaf

Philip Gerald “Jerry” Leaf, 89, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 while sitting beside his wife of 66 years, Barbara. Jerry was born on November 26, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to the Rev. Philip and Edna Leaf. He grew up in several locations due to his father being a minister in the Augustana Synod (Swedish) Lutheran Church. Jerry finished high school and completed two years of junior college at Luther Academy in Wahoo, Nebraska. He then attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where he met his future wife, Barbara Ann Thomsen, from Kansas City, Missouri. Jerry graduated from college in 1954 and, like his father and grandfather before him, went on to attend Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, to become an ordained pastor in the Augustana Synod Lutheran Church. Jerry and Barb were later married at Barb’s home congregation, First Lutheran Church, in Kansas City on August 16, 1957. Jerry was ordained in 1960, and from there Jerry and Barb went on to raise a family and faithfully serve Lutheran congregations in Central City, Nebraska (1960-64); Vandalia, Illinois (1964-69); and Rockford, Illinois (1969-76). In 1976, Jerry continued his work as an ordained minister of the church but as a director of development for Bethphage Mission in Axtell, Nebraska. It was during this time that he served as one of the founding members of ALDE (Association of Lutheran Development Directors). Then in 1981, Jerry and Barb moved to Austin, Texas where Jerry served as executive director of the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. From there, they moved to Chicago in 1988, where Jerry became a vice-president of development with the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Following semi retirement in 1992, Jerry and Barb moved back to Axtell, Nebraska, where Jerry did interim work with the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA. Jerry and Barb then moved to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1995, and, although claiming to be fully retired, Jerry continued his work for the church as pulpit supply and interim pastor, while also serving on the boards of both the ELCA Foundation and the Augustana Heritage Association. In 2011, Jerry and Barb made their final move to McPherson, Kansas, where they took up residence at the retirement community of The Cedars, and became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson. A faithful and dutiful servant of Christ’s church through it all, Jerry’s last act was to preside over the monthly morning chapel communion service at Trinity. From there, he went to the skilled nursing unit of The Cedars, to keep company with his wife, Barb. Jerry was sitting beside Barb and holding her hand when he died. Someone reported that, in that moment, his eyes were closed and he had a smile on his face. Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara; children Tim (Martha) Leaf of McPherson, Kansas, and Karla Leaf of McPherson, Kansas. In addition, he leaves his six grandchildren: Lisa (Nate) Wittgren, Stuart (Louisa) Nickel. Mark Nickel. Edie (Jake) Stutzman, Paxton Leaf, and Maggie Leaf; and eight great-grandchildren, Lane, Nora, Harvey, June, Ivy, Raylan, Ridge, and Reese. Jerry is also survived by his brother Mark (Gayle) Leaf, and his sisters Jane Leaf-Miller and Mary (Ron) Schneider. Preceding him in death were Jerry’s parents, Philip and Edna (Nelson) Leaf, brother John Leaf, and daughter Kristin Leaf. A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date, with inurnment at Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson, Kansas, and to The Cedars Retirement Community, McPherson, Kansas and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Funeral Home; 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, Ks. 67460.

Philip Gerald "Jerry" Leaf

November 26, 1934 - December 6, 2023