Leroy Laaker

Leroy Laaker, age 81 of Arlington, NE, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026. VISITATION will be held THURSDAY, February 26, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8591 County Road 9, Arlington, Nebraska, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. FUNERAL services will be held SATURDAY, February 28, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska, at 10:30 AM. Visitation will also be held prior to services, beginning at 9:30 AM at the church.

Leroy was born on June 30, 1944, in Fremont, Nebraska, the son of Lawrence and Marian (Nelson) Laaker. Leroy was truly born and raised on the family farm in rural Arlington. He attended Colby Country School and then St. Paul's Parochial School. He then attended and graduated from Arlington High School in 1963.

After high school, Leroy joined the Nebraska National Guard, serving from 1964 until his honorable discharge in 1970 as a Sergeant. On September 2, 1967, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Vaughn in Bertrand, Nebraska.

Over the years, he worked various jobs from hauling milk and grain to painting tractors and welding. Leroy’s most loved job was always on the family farm, raising animals and growing crops.

Leroy was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. He was an active member of Arlington Legion Post 71, 40&8 and in 2023 he was honored as a Quilt of Valor recipient. In 1990, the Laaker family was honored as an Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family. Leroy also served on the Nebraska Cattlemen's State Board and with the Washington County Cattlemen. He and Kathy were most recently honored as the 2025 Grand Marshals of the Washington County Fair.

Leroy is survived by his wife of 58 years Kathleen; children Brian (Cindy) Laaker of Arlington, Amy (Aron) Cheek of Valley, Kay (Brian) Fitzke of Fremont, and Jill (Matt) Bailey of Schuyler; grandchildren Mikayla (Charley) Williams, Mallory Ruwe, Katelyn (Brandon) Smith, Reed Fitzke (Kaelei), Leah (Devyn) Baker, Eliza, Hayden and Lindley Bailey; great-granddaughter Lydia Baker; sisters Ann (Robert) Babcock and Mary (Herman) Tenhoff; sister-in-law Lynn Laaker; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Laaker, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Karen Burgeson and sister-in-law Joy Bennett.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School of Arlington, The Washington, NE, County Fair or American Legion Post 71 in Arlington.

Arrangements provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair.

#2 Funeral leaflet

(photos)

In Loving Memory of Leroy A. Laaker

Born June 30, 1944 Fremont, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest February 24, 2026 Fremont, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30am Saturday, February 28, 2026 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska

Officiating: Pastor Rick Kanoy & Pastor Jason Duley. Organist: Joyce Dunklau. Musical Selections: "Amazing Grace", "Abide With Me", "Here I Am, Lord", "Well Done", "God Be With You , 'til We Meet Again"

Pallbearers: Reed Fitzke, Hayden Bailey, Mark Moorman, Matthew Moorman, David Babcock, Danny Babcock, Luke Tenhoff, John Tenhoff, Scott Laaker

Honorary Pallbearers: Katelyn Smith, Mikayla Williams, Mallory Ruwe, Leah Baker, Eliza Baker, Lindley Bailey

Flower Bearer: Lydia Baker

Military Honors Presented by American Legion Post 71, Arlington United States Army National Guard

Final Resting Place: private family burial will be held at God's Acre Cemetery, St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave #293141418