James Leonard

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James Leonard of Holdrege, NE passed away on December 10, 2025.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway. A visitation will be held one hour before the service at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.

James Dean Leonard was born on June 1, 1933, in Oconto, NE to Loren and Gladys (Smith) Leonard. The family moved near Callaway, where James attended and graduated from Callaway High School. James was drafted into the Army and served in Korea.

On December 24, 1955, James married Donna Halouska in Broken Bow. In their young married years, they farmed at locations near Callaway, Broken Bow, Elwood, and Eustis, then moved to Central City where James worked at the John Deere dealership. The couple later owned a John Deere dealership in Loup City; it closed in 1980. The couple moved to rural Elwood and then made their home in Holdrege.

James enjoyed farming, horses, hunting, and fishing with his grandsons.

James was Baptized as an adult at the Lutheran Church in Eustis.

James was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul Leonard and Dan Leonard, sister and brother-in-law Lillian (Irvin) Whipple, in-laws Joe and Lela Halouska, and grandson-in-law Bill Stepanek.

James is survived by his wife Donna of Holdrege, son Jim (Marcia) Leonard of Kearney, daughters Cheryl (Bob) Klausen of Rockville and Vicky (Brian) Zabka of Grand Island, 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and sisters-in-law Verna Leonard and Glenda Leonard.