John A. Leffler

John A. Leffler, 68, of Eaton, CO passed away April 2, 2011 at home surrounded by family. John was born on June 1, 1942 in Eaton to Victor and Elizabeth (Lind) Leffler. He was the third of ten siblings. John was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church and was a life member of Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton. He graduated from Eaton High School in 1960 where he was a naturally talented and successful athlete. Friends will recall his smile, deep laugh, and sometimes mischievous but never hurtful manner. John's heritage ushered him into farming and raising livestock at an early age, which led to the family corporation that purchased the home farms from the Collins family west of Eaton in 1980, adding more over the years. John had a true passion for farming and was awarded for being among the Top-Ten sugar beet producers in the area multiple years. He knew the value of hard work and dedication. John was a board director for Eaton Bank, Centennial Bank of the West, Farmers Bank, Guaranty Bank, Colorado Cattle Feeders Association, Duck Creek Grazing Association, and numerous others. He also developed the Governor’s Ranch community in Eaton. On August 12, 1962 John married JoAnn "Jodie” Miller at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greeley, CO. John cherished his time spent with family and friends. He enjoyed growing a large garden, basketball, and loved good food. He will be remembered as a loving and hard-working husband, a compassionate and wise father, the best "Papa” ever to his grandchildren, and a faithful friend to all that had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Above all, John was a man of integrity with a gentle soul. John is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years Jodie; two daughters, Shelley (Robert) Burch and Cindy (Jeff) Smith of Colorado Springs; and a son, Brent (Marielle) Leffler of Eaton; his father, Victor Leffler of Eaton; eight grandchildren, Kendra, Morgan, and Zachary Burch, Aly, Katherine, Jacob, and Maxwell Smith and Case Koa Leffler. Brothers, Charles (Bernadene) Leffler of Eaton, Larry Leffler of Stockton, CA, Richard (Lois) Leffler of Loveland, Phillip (Joan Hegland) of Greeley, and Russell (Gwen) Leffler of Eaton; sisters, Dorothy (David) Bates of Kersey, Linda (Larry) Broyles of Goodyear, AZ, and Karen (Richard) Forbes of Plano, TX; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Dora) Miller, Mae (Myron) Martinson and Edwin Foss; and numerous nieces and nephews. His mother, Elizabeth and sister Ann Bales preceded him in death. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2011 at Evangelical Free Church of Eaton 1325 3rd Street, Eaton, CO 80615. Memorial contributions may be made to "John Leffler Memorial” in care of Adamson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634.