Memorials › Leonard A. Sixta

Leonard A. Sixta

21 Jan 1918 – 2 Oct 2010

Birth21 Jan 1918
Death2 Oct 2010
CemeteryBohemian National Cemetery
Spencer , Boyd County , Nebraska , USA
Added byAnnie on 06 Jun 2012
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60252541

Bio

Mr. Sixta died Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Superior Elderly Care Center in Denver, CO. Leonard Sixta was born January 21, 1918, to Louis and Anna (Fillippi) Sixta, on their farm northeast of Lynch, Nebraska. He was the youngest of seven children. Leonard attended country school near their home. When Leonard was on the farm he enjoyed trapping skunks, helping his brothers with their businesses in Lynch, dancing, playing the guitar and harmonica. The house on the farm burned down in 1940. Leonard then moved to Denver to look for work. He worked at the Denver General Hospital as an ambulance attendant and orderly. When WWII started, Leonard joined the Navy and later was also attached to the Marine Air Group. He took advantage of leave to go back to Nebraska and marry his sweetheart, Minnie Gehlsen. They returned to San Diego where Leonard was stationed at the Naval Hospital, where he assisted doctors in surgeries. He was sent to Santa Barbara and then overseas for 16 months. He was in the Medical Corp in South Pacific, where he assisted with casualties from various battles including the battle for the island of Tarawa and worked in dispensary. Leonard would relieve the rear gunners in SPD Dive Bombers when new pilots came to practice. He was also a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class when he was discharged after the end of the war. While picking up casualties on the Island of Efati in the New Herbrides, Leonard suffered a sunstroke and heat exhaustion, which affected him the rest of his life. He was very proud to have received various ribbons and medals including the Honorable Discharge, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Good Conduct and American Campaign. Leonard also received an honorary high school diploma from Lynch High School through a program allowing veterans to receive a diploma if they were unable to obtain their education while serving their country. After WWII, Leonard moved his family to Denver where he worked as a carpenter. They longed for farming again so they moved near Fremont, NE and then Valley, NE. He farmed there until 1951, when heat strokes again made them move to cooler climate. Leonard and his family moved to Lakewood, CO and remained there for the next 28 years. He was a self employed business owner and salesman. Leonard and Minnie also managed an Assisted Living complex and piloted oversized loads, which gave them a chance to travel all over the country. They retired to Lynch in the 90's and moved back to Denver in December of 2008 to be near their daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leonard was a member of the VFW and the Eureka! Treasure Hunting Club. Leonard enjoyed life to the fullest. He enjoyed all young children, traveling, dancing (especially polkas), old country music, gardening, observing small animal and insect habits, playing the harmonica and guitar, coin collecting, treasure detecting, playing cards and spending all the time he could with the love of his life, Minnie. Survivors include his wife, Minnie; two daughters and their spouses, Dorene (Randy) Ribordy of Aurora, CO, Patricia (Dave) Darling of Aurora, CO; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lilyan Scheinost of Fremont, NE; and one sister in law, Emma Gehlsen of Lynch, NE. He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jerry, Elmer, Ernest; two sisters, Mildred Sixta, Sylvia Klasna; and his son, Larry Sixta

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