Leo Franklin Swartzendruber

Leo F. Swartzendruber, 99, was born in June of 1925 to Herman and Esther (Rogers) Swartzendruber. He was one of six children. Growing up in Iowa in a devout Mennonite family shaped his love of God and family. He went to school in Wellman, Iowa, until his senior year when he, as all his siblings had, went to Hesston College, a Mennonite school in Kansas. Leo was a very good basketball player and always regretted that he did not have the opportunity to play basketball for the University of Iowa. He went to many of their games after he graduated and felt he could have been successful.

He met his wife Shirley at a church social when they were teenagers, and they were married in June of 1946. Leo had been drafted after the war, but since he was a Mennonite-one of the “Peace Churches”- Leo and Shirley went to Puerto Rico for him to complete his work for the government in lieu of military service. They returned to Iowa after two years and were blessed with the births of their four boys, Jim, Steve, Jon, and Dan. Shortly after Dan’s birth, Leo was asked to return to Puerto Rico to work for an agricultural company, and he and Shirley agreed to go. Son Jim went to school and quickly learned to speak Spanish. He taught Steve and soon they were speaking only Spanish when they were playing. The family returned to Iowa in 1956 where Leo worked in a bank. The Mennonite Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, needed a business office manager for their hospital, and since that had been Leo’s job in Puerto Rico for the government, he was offered that position and the family moved to Glenwood. Leo continued as business manager of Valley View Hospital until he was promoted to hospital administrator. After Leo left the hospital he earned his real estate license, and he and Shirley moved to Rifle. Leo enjoyed his career in real estate. He loved meeting the people and helping them secure a property.

One of the greatest joys for Leo and Shirley was following their boys to athletic events. The brothers were good athletes, and Leo and Shirley enjoyed whatever sports season or event the boys were involved in.

Leo made many friends throughout his life. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his devout belief in God, and his love for his family. Leo is survived by his son Steve and wife Cindy of Paonia. Their children; Shana, Ben, Matt, and Josh, and families. Son Jon and wife Sherell of Loveland. Their children, Ryan and Krista, and families. Daughter-in-law Adrian of Silt. Jim’s sons, Brandon and Jeremiah, and their families. And Dan’s sons, Jacob and Caleb, and families of Libby Mt. One sister, Geneva, and husband Glen of Goshen, Indiana. 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Shirley, Sons Jim and Dan, brothers Wallace, Willard, and Don and sister Rachel.