Notes:

Died:
Obituary

MICHAEL C. LEONARD (9-13-1946 to 9-27-2000)

Michael Leonard, 54, died Sept. 27, 2000, in Colorado Springs, CO. He was a former Colorado Springs police officer and a captain at the Department of Corrections in Buena Vista. He was self-employed. He served in the Marines for two years and was a Vietnam veteran.
Mike was born Sept. 13, 1946, in La Junta, CO. to Warren E. and Annabelle C. (Hyrup) Leonard. His father is deceased. He was married July 29, 1983, to Bernice A. Abila.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Casey Michael and Toby Warren; one daughter, Michele Lee; his mother; two brothers, Warren and Thomas; and three sisters, Joanna Metz, Vicki Smith and Roxi Graham.
Mike always tried to be “peace maker” and was the “rock” for his siblings and his family; he was a true "big brother", a father figure, plus a role model.
A memorial service was held at the Sunnyside Christian Church, 2025 N. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. Burial (cremation) was at the Evergreen Cemetery.

The following is a “eulogy” that the family wrote and Warren read at Mike’s funeral services:
Mike was truly a special person. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, and a friend. We laughed with him, loved with him, and even fought with him. Right or wrong, he had only one way of doing things – hard and fast! There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for someone that he cared about. When he felt that a loved one was in trouble, he was always there to lend a helping hand. And when the battle lines were drawn, you always felt better just knowing that he was there by your side. He was a true warrior.
Mike meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. He had an impact on everyone he touched. Some he touched a little harder than others. No matter who it was, he always seemed to leave them with a smile and the feeling that they had someone they could count on if the times got rough.
He had the gift of gab, thus he never meet a stranger. He always seemed to have a joke or story for whatever the occasion. He had a way with words that no one could match. He loved to make people laugh, even at his own expense. When he would tell a story, he kept you hanging on to each word. Even when you knew his story was stretching the truth a little, it didn’t really matter because you were laughing so hard it hurt. And when he finished the story, he would look you right in the eye and swear that was the way it actually happened.
Next to his family, Mike’s greatest passion was the rodeo. He wasn’t the world’s best rider or best roper, but that didn’t really matter, he just enjoyed being a part of it. He loved the speed of the horses, the clanging of the cowbells, and the smell of it all.
Mike didn’t share a lot of himself, even with the ones closest to him. He kept his vulnerabilities hidden and had his own way of showing love. It wasn’t always open and visible. Most often it was just his presence of being there, through a hug, a smile, or a tear.
Nor did he really share much of what he was thinking. He would give little bits and pieces, but then would look away as if the rest really didn’t matter. Mike took no quarter but was always willing to give. He rarely said he was sorry or apologized for what he said or did, that just wasn’t Mike’s way!
It is hard to understand and accept that a rock like Mike could fall. He was a proud man, sometimes even to a fault. There was no greater pride than what he had for his daughter Michele, and especially his two sons, Casey Michael and Toby Warren, and the mother who carried them. We will all miss him.
I say to Mike now - Get on, nod your head, and dig in your spurs. Look out God, cowboy up!



Other family memories of Mike -
Aunt Jeanne Mays says
Mike used to run up to our house from his police car and just come in and it would drive the neighbor lady nuts. He always hit the siren just enough for her to hear it. She was so nosey and wanted to know every thing that every one was doing. Mike would have a cup of coffee
and be on his way.

Onnalee Harrell says
I wish I could have know Mike better, but I do remember how caring and consoling he was to others. I remember an incident that happened at their father’s (Warren) funeral. I was trying to just get out of the church so my family and I could leave. Mike immediately, upon seeing me, knew that something was wrong. He quickly came to me and gave me a big hug and had so many expressions of love towards my family and me. He was truly amazing, as we had not seen each other since we were
children. His love, concern, understanding and his ability to be a peace maker will always be remembered by me.



The following is a poem written by Mike and made into a plaque.
The Wall is Black

Doesn’t it seem odd
That the wall is black
That identifies those
Who never came back.

Does it mean a damn thing
That the wall is low
Amid all those others
That tower and glow.

Often I have thought
That perhaps I should see
Those names of those
Who died – instead of me.

It has got to be hard
For those that care
To come, to endure and
To feel and stare.

All that they gave
And the price that was paid
Will forever be unknown
To those that stayed.

For those that struggled
And clawed and bled
Can never be likened
To those that fled.

I do not judge those
Who refused to fight
Perhaps they now live
Maybe wrong, maybe right.

I think I can say
For those that fought
It wasn’t a great wall
Of marble they sought.
All that was ever wanted
Was that damn war to be
A cause that was worthy
For you and for me.

Then welcome back home
Those who managed to live
By pointing a righteous finger
At things that they did.

I don’t think that I
Need ever go see
All the sad memories
Reflecting back at me.

Perhaps maybe much later
When our babies have grown tall
Will there ever again be a need
Of such a black wall.

Written in memory of all
Those warriors, BOTH
American and Vietnamese.
M. C. Leonard
January, 1988

Michael married Norma Faye Lawrence [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Michele Lee Leonard

Michael married Bernice A Abila [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Casey Michael Leonard
2. Toby Warren Leonard

Notes:

Warren also had a brother named Al and a sister named Veona.

Died:
Obituary
WARREN EDWARD LEONARD (7-23-1910 to 9-13-1981)

Warren Edward Leonard, 71, was a long time resident, former county commissioner and long time rancher east of Karval, Colorado.
Warren was born in Geneva, Nebraska, July 23, 1910, to Harvey and Jessie Leonard. The family moved to Colorado in 1918 and settled on a homestead in the Cheraw area. Warren attended school in Cheraw and walked a distance of 8 miles each day. After reaching manhood, he went to the Karval area where he acquired property over the years. He eventually owned 7 sections of land and was a successful farmer and rancher. He was always interested in community affairs and worked hard in making it a better place to live and raise a family.
Warren married Kathryn Nicholas, June, 1934. To that union was born two children, Gwendal and Onnalee. That marriage was dissolved in 1945.
He was married to Annabelle Hyrup in 1946, and to this union was born five children. Annabelle brought a daughter Joanna Lee to this marriage, which Warren adopted. Their children were Michael, Vicki, Warren Ray, Tommie and Roxi.
Warren married Marvis June Marshall in November, 1969 and when he retired they moved to Limon. He loved to play golf. Although he took it up much later in life than most people do, he was very good. He spent much of his time on the Tamarack Municipal Course. He also was a faithful member of the Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife; all of his children; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; his Mother, Jessie Leonard of Ft. Collins; four brothers, Dick of Orofino, Idaho, George (Slim) of Joseph, Oregon, Don of Thornfield, Missouri and Marion of Colorado Springs, CO. Sisters, Leila Frazier of Delta, CO., Ida Green of Cheyenne, WY., Kathleen Lister of Lamar, CO, Verna Miller of Longmont, CO, Velma McDonald of Ft. Collins, CO and Jeanne Mays of Colorado Springs, CO.
Services were Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Resurrection in Limon. There was a cremation.

Warren married Annabelle Claire Hyrup on 12 Sep 1945 in Colby, Kansas, and was divorced on 20 Aug 1969 in Lincoln, Colorado. Annabelle (daughter of Chris Hyrup and Hazel ?) was born on 12 May 1918 in Basalt, Colorado; died on 15 Mar 2003 in Colorado Springs, Colorado; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

One of Annabelle's grandmother's names was Fannie Mount.

Died:
The following is a “eulogy” that Annabelle had originally written as her “wishes” at the time of her death and the family modified. Again, Warren read this and Tommy’s “eulogy” at Annabelle’s and Tommy’s funeral services:
My family, we are gathered here today to say a few words in memory of Annabelle Hyrup Leonard, mother of six (6) children - Joanna Lee, Michael Chris, Vicki Lynn, Warren Ray, Thomas Hyrup, and Roxi Claire.
Michael passed away before Annabelle and of course, Tommy died alongside with Mom, and it was her hope to be with both of them.
Annabelle also has eight (8) grandchildren and 5 ¾ great-grandchildren. Her one sister, Patricia Yale, survives her also. Her two (2) brothers, father, mother, and grandmother preceded her in death.
Annabelle did not want a long service! She did, however, pick out this beautiful chapel that we are in today. Annabelle wished to be cremated and buried at Evergreen Cemetery beside her son, Michael. She requested that these four (4) short Bible verses be read -

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 - Verses 1 through 4.

A Time for Everything

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to sow and a time to reap.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to break down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance.


Annabelle was never a regular church member, but her children were raised honorably. She was a good wife, a good mother, and a good neighbor. She always maintained that her family would be left with lots of good memories. She wanted her family to know and understand that she had had all the good things in life and her time came as it does to all of us.
We offer sympathy to each other and hope that you will find the strength to accept this loss and carry on as Annabelle would want you to - always remembering, but knowing it must always be this way.

I will now say a few words about our brother, Thomas Hyrup Leonard. Tom was Annabelle’s fifth child and was born in La Junta, Colorado, on January 13, 1955. He was raised on the family farm and ranch in Karval, Colorado, until the age of 14. Tom graduated from Buena Vista High School in May 1974, but he regularly attended the Karval homecoming events.
Although he was limited in his athletic abilities, he had a strong passion for sports. Tom would smile and brag about each win of the Miami Dolphins, but would agonize over each loss. Every year he would follow the play of the Buena Vista High School Demons basketball team, especially when they played their league rivals, the Leadville Panthers who were coached by his friend Rick .
Tom had the same temper and stubbornness that all his siblings have. This trait was evident throughout his life in the jobs he had and the interactions with us all. Tom always held on to what he believed, even when it was contrary to what his family thought, and he always thought Mom was over-protective. Tom was living with Mom at Georgetown Square. We found this poem, which Mom had clipped out of the newspaper that is fitting of their relationship:

Me and Her
She is compulsive, I am impulsive.
She likes it hot, I like it cold.
She is neat, I am a slob.

I push, She pulls.
She says “Up”, I say “Down”.
She is day, I am night.

Living together is hard.
Living without her would be impossible.

We believe that when the chips were down, and Tom knew where the incident was heading, he fought the perpetrators to the best of his ability to defend his mother at the time of their deaths, and it is only fitting that he be laid to rest next to his Mom, and brother Mike, here at Evergreen Cemetery.

WE LOVE THEM ALL AND WILL MISS THEM FOREVER

Harvey married Jessie Geraldine Mullikan on 15 Mar 1909 in Geneva, Nebraska. Jessie (daughter of Orrin Craig Mullikan and Cora Emma Churchill) was born on 04 Nov 1891 in Ohiowa, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 31 Mar 1982 in Fort Collins, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Fort Collins as of 13 Sep 1981.

Chris married Hazel ?. Hazel died before 15 Mar 2003. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Laura A Cross in 28 Jan1883 in Friendville, Saline County, Nebraska. Laura was born on 07 Mar 1858 in Lowden County, Virginia; died on 21 Nov 1925 in Geneva, Nebraska; was buried in Geneva, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Orrin married Cora Emma Churchill on 15 Jan 1889 in Lincoln County, Nebraska. Cora (daughter of Walter Churchill and Geraldine Kerchner) was born on 07 Feb 1870 in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska; died on 28 Feb 1931 in Rocky Ford, Colorado; was buried on 02 Mar 1936 in Ordway, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]