Stan Leaf

On Friday, April 24, 2015, The Rev. Stan Leaf of Stamford, Texas, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, taking with him the love and compassion he bestowed on his family, friends and parishioners. He was 87 years old.
Carl Stanley Leaf was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on June 9, 1927, the oldest child born to Carl Samuel and Carolina Lena (Peterson) Leaf. Stan’s father died when he was only nine years old. After his father died he continued his education in public school graduating in 1945 at Garfield, Kansas. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre until 1948. After being discharged from the Navy, he worked in a garage in Garfield, and then went to work for a telephone company where he became a wire chief.
Stan married his beloved wife Norma Jo Miles on August 27, 1949 in Wichita, Kansas, they were blessed with three children; Stanley Michael, Daniel Clayton and Erin Jo. They also provided a home for Sherry (Voth) Lurhing while she attended high school. She and her husband have maintained contact over the years.
Stan was very community oriented. He served in many capacities in the community. He was a member of the American Legion in Lueders. Stan and Norma shared a love for beautiful animals; from the Arabian horses they raised, showed and rode, to their dogs and cats.
In 1951, Stan entered Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He finished his studies there in 1954, and began studies at Augustana Theological Seminary the same year. After completing his studies there, and spending his internship in Willmar, Minnesota, he was ordained to be a minister.
Rural churches were dear to Stan’s heart. One of his early pastorates was a call to Western Kansas where four churches were barely functioning. Under Pastor Leaf’s leadership the four were consolidated into a “Quad Parish.” The churches progressed and became active congregations with regular pastors. Pastor Leaf also served in North Central Kansas where nine churches were having problems. He became the pastor of the Hanover and Hollenberg Churches. Stan along with three pastors instituted a plan and in a short time, all of the churches were moving forward. An article in the March 18, 1970 issue of The Lutheran described how well the plan worked, and gave Pastor Leaf much of the credit for the success of the project. Pastor Stan was called to serve at Bethel Lutheran Church as their pastor in 1971, where he remained until his retirement in March 1994.
Left to cherish Stan’s memories are his wife of 65 years, Norma Leaf of Stamford, TX; two sons, Mike Leaf of Wellington, KS and Dan Leaf and his wife Kathy of Fort Worth, TX; a daughter, Erin Delleney and husband Casey of Dillsburg, PA; seven grandchildren, Joshua Leaf and wife Christin, Stephen Leaf and wife Shannon, Rebecca Johnson and husband Thomas, Katie Ludwick and husband Scott, Miles Casey Delleney and wife Lindsi and Mallory Jo Muzykoski and husband Alex; 9 great grandchildren; two brothers, Rolland Leaf and wife Verla of Spearville, KS, and John Leaf of Lindsborg, KS; one sister Carolyn Johnson of Raleigh, NC.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter-in-law, Sherry Leaf and a brother-in-law, Vern Johnson.
The family will gather for visitation on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 6-7 p.m. at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 S. Columbia). Stan will be remembered at funeral services Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church at Ericksdahl with Parish Lay Ministers Dean and Pat Quade officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.
If you choose to do a memorial the family requested the Stamford Food Bank, Stamford VIP or your favorite charity.
On-line condolences may be made at www,tankersleyfuneralhome.com.