September 18, 1953 ~ April 16, 2014
Leon Francis Dreiling, 60, passed away at his home on April 16, 2014. Leon was born September 18, 1953 in Hays, KS to Marvin "Lefty" and Lorraine L. (Giebler) Dreiling. He attended Vo-Tech school in Goodland, KS. Upon completion, he was employed with Fanning Engineering in Enid, OK. Leon and Pauline (Ruiz) were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Kiowa, KS on August 11, 1979. During the next few years, they lived in various towns in Oklahoma and Texas before moving back to Kansas in 1985. He then began his career as a Draftsman/CAD Operator for KanOkla Telephone in 1986, settling in Caldwell in 1989.
Leon loved and lived life to the fullest. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. A devoted family man, Leon, also enjoyed doing as much as he could for the community. He did various volunteer work such as announcing for softball games and tournaments and figure eight races; helped with the annual 4th of July fireworks, Chisholm Trail events, Sumner County Fair, and KanOkla fireman’s competition; was a sponsor for the high school marching band, a bingo caller, timer for track meets, softball coach, ran the chain gang for high school football games, founding member of the men’s quarterback club, and donor for the American Red Cross. He provided music and photography for many local events and had many photos featured in The Caldwell Messenger and Lion’s Club Calendar. He was also an avid KU basketball and Denver Broncos football fan.
Leon is preceded in death by his mother, father and grandparents. His survivors are his wife, Pauline; daughter Julia Dreiling of Denver, CO; son Jason Dreiling and his wife Ashley; grandson Avery Dreiling all of Wichita, KS; sister Mary Beck (Gary) of Clay Center, KS; four brothers Larry (Diane) of Medicine Lodge, KS; Randy (Mary), Stan (MaryJane), and Steve all of Hays, KS; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2014 with Mass 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2014, both at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Caldwell, Kansas. A graveside will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Riverview Cemetery, Kiowa, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in memory of Leon to the St. Martin's Catholic Church Building Fund or to the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Debbie Koch
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you Pauline, Julia, and Jason. Love you all. He definitely will be missed. He was an asset to the community and to KanOkla. He was an awesome friend as well.
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Bruce & Sannie Wykes
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
Pauline and family, God Bless you all, have been praying for you all, what a wonderful man he was! Ly All
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Marti Herring
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
Thinking of you Pauline, Julia and Jason. Leon was such a joy and will be missed! Was so wonderful to see you, Leon and your family at the Farm Picnics. Precious memories for sure.
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Dave and Peggy Ginn
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
We are so sorry for your loss. May God surround you with His love and comfort.
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Jacki Weigel Luttrell
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
It was always a joy to see you and Leon at the farm. It's an overwhelming difficult and sorrowful time now, but hold on to all those treasured memories, may you and your family find comfort in them. Sending love, prayers and hugs to all the Dreiling family.
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Debbie Beran
Family and Friends - 04/16/2014
Pauline, Julia & Jason,
I am so sorry to hear of Leon's passing. My prayers and Love are with you all. What a wonderful guy so funny.
You will be in my thoughts during the coming days.
Debbie
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Cassie Belmear Mock
Family and Friends - 04/17/2014
Pauline, Julia and Jason,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I have lots of fond memories growing up and spending time at your house. May your own memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.
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Kyane
Family and Friends - 04/17/2014
Thinking of you all. What a wonderful and kind man!
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connie & tom davis
Family and Friends - 04/17/2014
I'm so very sorry for your loss, Leon was well loved, will never be forgotten. May God be with you during this hard time.
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Virginia Hertel
Family and Friends - 04/17/2014
Pauline and family,
I am sooo sorry for your loss! I've just gotten to know Leon the last few years at the family picnics. He was always full and fun and humor. He will never be forgotten. Hugs and prayers to you all....
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Gayla
Family and Friends - 04/18/2014
Dear Sweet Pauline, Julia, and Jason,
There is nothing I can say to make any of this better, but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will miss his big, booming voice here at the KanOkla office. He always made me smile.....
Love, peace, and strength to you.
Gayla
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Grant McLeod
Family and Friends - 04/18/2014
I worked with Leon awhile back. What I remember and took from that was his ability to focus. He was able to shut everything else out while he completed his task. He was the best proof reader ever. I am sorry for your loss.
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Jill & Brad Kuehny
Family and Friends - 04/18/2014
Leon left his legacy in many ways around the KanOkla office; emceeing at the annual meeting, saying good morning every day as he walked by your office, having fun with our K-State vs KU rivalry. This is where I first met Leon. Over the years, as Pauline helped take care of Dillan & Brooke (Ross missed out! :), we'll treasure those special bonds between our children.
For years, Leon would announce the girls' softball games in Caldwell, playing his classic rock music, making jokes, calling pitches, making up nicknames, and having fun. He left a legacy with teams throughout our league, who still comment how fun it was to play in Caldwell because of Leon. His laugh was contagious, his smile will be missed.
Pauline, Julia, Jason, you had a good guy and we are so sorry you've lost him too soon.
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Larry & Brenda Calvery
Family and Friends - 04/18/2014
Leon was a classmate of both me and my wife at Hays High Class of 71. Leon was one of the highlights of our 40 year reunion, I remember him asking me if I knew who he was.....I did not, so probably would have voted him most changed. How thankful we are that we had that time with him after all those years. Our sympathies to family & friends.
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Mary Ann Niernberger Ross
Family and Friends - 04/18/2014
I was a classmate of Leon's at Hays High School. I am so glad some of us got to see Leon and visit with him at our 40th. class reunion. I remember his smile most of all, always there. My condolences go out to Pauline and his family.
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Danny (Desch) Lenz
Family and Friends - 04/19/2014
Pauline, Julia and Jason,
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your beloved Leon. He was a joy to speak to at the family farm picnic, and he will be missed by the cousins and other family members. My prayers are for Leon, you and your loved ones.
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Cindy (Gaskill) Paul
Family and Friends - 04/19/2014
It was so hard to read of Leon's passing. It was wonderful to have him as a friend thru High School (we always thought it was pretty cool to share our birth day). And then to have the privilege to be reconnected again via internet 20+ years after High School, and to be able to have little chats thru the following years. My prayers and deepest sympathy goes to all his loved ones left behind, his passing will leave a gapping hole in your lives but the memories he left you with will bring you comfort and help carry you through these hard days. God bless.
Cindy
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Tony Leiker
Family and Friends - 04/20/2014
Pauline:
Leon and I were best friends all through high school and I always enjoyed seeing you and Leon at our class reunions. I especially enjoyed riding on the float, kidding around and remembering our younger days in Hays. Even though Leon was a Denver "donkey" fan :), we enjoyed talking football. We had a lot of good times together through the years. I am sorry I cannot make it to Leon's service, but will remember Leon, you and your family in prayers.
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Ryan and Amber Beran
Family and Friends - 04/21/2014
Pauline, Julia and Jason, We are sorry for your loss. Leon was such a blast to be around. I can't express enough how thankful we are to have known him and we have so many great memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless You on this difficult day.
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Pauline and family, I did not
Family and Friends - 04/21/2014
Pauline and family,
I did not know Leon. However, I do know his brother Steve and got to know a little bit about Leon from him. Steve spoke highly of his brother. I know Leon will be missed and I share in some small way in your family's grief.
larry reichert
hays
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Ronald Dinkel
Family and Friends - 04/22/2014
My concolences to Leons family and friends from his cousin Ronald Dinkel.
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