Dick Leines was born in Willmar, MN, on July 8, 1937, to Arthur and Hattie Leines. He was baptized on August 8, 1937, and confirmed on July 16, 1950, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater, MN. Dick graduated from Willmar High School in 1955, and attended college at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN, St. Cloud State and Mankato State. He was a member of bands and orchestras throughout his college days, playing tuba and drums.
Dick worked at many jobs throughout his life starting in grade school as a farm hand, and then working at gas stations, fuel-oil-bulk plants, a grocery store, a residential dairy route, a soft ice cream business, a music store, helping to repair band instruments, a cafeteria (in college), as well as painting houses, doing highway construction and driving a taxi.Through working at a Nursing Home in college, he ended up leasing and operating a Nursing Home in Madelia, MN, where he met and married the love of his life, Janis Madson, in 1959. He went on with Health Care Administration in a small hospital in Minnesota and later opened several new Nursing Homes in Kansas, the last being a Medicare-approved facility in the mid-60s.
Dick was in sales for 15 years. He then worked for Cottonwood, Inc. in Lawrence, for 24 years, the last 20 of which he was the Human Resources Director. He retired in 2011. During retirement, Dick spent many hours transporting handicapped individuals to church, doctor appointments, etc.
Dick and Jan raised three children who were their pride and joy. He is survived by his wife, Jan: three children – daughter Terry (Greg) Burris, Garland, TX, son Rick (Shirl), Lenexa, KS, and son Jon (Elyce), Colorado Springs, CO: and six grandchildren – Amy Leines, Parker, CO, Eric Leines, Overland Park, KS, Bryan Leines, Ashburn, VA, Elle and Matthew Leines, Colorado Springs, CO, and Zane Burris, State College, PA. Dick is also survived by his sister, Beatrice Devereaux of Litchfield, MN, and several nieces and nephews.
Dick enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed music, driving, traveling, woodworking, and reading. Other interests and hobbies included involvement with his church, Immanuel Lutheran, where he held several positions over the years. He also served as the first president of the Haskell LIGHT Board of Directors in Lawrence. He was a charter member of the Salina Barbershop Chorus, and after moving to Lawrence, sang with the Heart of America Barbershop Chorus in Kansas City for several years.
Additionally, the family of Dick Leines would like to send a special thank you to A Helping Hand and Visiting Nurses for the care and assistance they gave Richard.
Memorial services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 2, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence. Visitation 10-11 am at the church, prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Rosendale Lutheran Church, Madelia, MN, at a later date.The family suggests memorials in Dick’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cottonwood,Inc., or Haskell LIGHT, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
