Leonard E. “Len” Leavitt

Leonard E. “Len” Leavitt

October 6, 1949 – August 12, 2021

Preceded in death by father, Arthur “Len” Leavitt. Survived by mother, Elsie Leavitt; wife, Kristine; children: Angela (Jon), Matthew, and Jessica; siblings: Robert, Susan, Russell, and Therese; grandchildren: Lance, Bayleigh, Nathan, Connor, and Jakob; special family friend, Jaycie; many nieces and nephews and extended family.

VISITATION: Tuesday, August 17^th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, August 18^th at 10am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 5419 N. 114^th St.  GRAVESIDE SERVICE with Military Honors: Wednesday, 2pm, Omaha National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home or Benson VFW Post 2503.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.

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Len Leavitt was born on October 6, 1949, in Great Falls, Montana to Arthur “Len” and Elsie Leavitt.   He was the oldest of five children – siblings: Robert, Susan, Russell, and Therese.   Their summer vacations were spent in either Montana or Maine with family.  When Len was younger, his father would take he and his brother Bob to Creighton basketball and baseball games – beginning a lifelong support and love for Creighton athletics.   Len went to St Pius X for elementary school and Rummel (Roncalli) for high school, graduating in 1968.   

After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served during the Vietnam War on the U.S.S Ticonderoga.  After his service ended, he came back to Omaha and met Kris at the Aquarius Bar on free pizza night.  They were married in 1973 and had three children: Angela, Matthew, and Jessica.  In 1974, Len started at the phone company and wore many hats during his years of service, finally retiring in 2001.

Len was a very proud Vietnam Veteran, and everyone knew his appreciation for all Veterans and their service to the country.  He was always going out of his way to thank every Veteran he saw, passing out stars and making them feel appreciated.  Len was proud to take part in the Vietnam Combat Veterans Honor Flight in 2016, finally receiving the Heroes Welcome Home.

His children were his pride and joy and he made sure they knew how much he loved them.  Len instilled to his children a deep love and importance of family with family dinners, summer vacations, and weekends spent at the cabin with cousins.  Being a grandpa however, was his favorite job.  There were stocked candy drawers, secret “$10” (don’t tell your mom), perfectly cooked steaks, and a cabin filled with whatever they desired.  Len was also a staple at their games and activities, and he could be seen cheering and heckling refs from the sidelines.  He always made sure to support the concession stands, one might say it was his second favorite part of the games.  For Len, family was the most important thing- but to him everyone was family.

Len passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife of 48 years and his three children.  He was surrounded by love in his final hours.

Len is survived by his mother, Elsie; wife, Kris; children: Angie (Jon), Matt, and Jessie; grandchildren: Lance, Bayleigh, Nathan, Connor, and Jakob; special family friend, Jaycie; siblings: Bob, Sue, Russ, and Therese;  many nieces, nephews, and extended family.