He met his wife, Tracy, while working at McDonald’s and they married in 1982. They moved to Chamberlain, SD the end of 1983 where Leo got his first job in a print shop, an occupation he would have for many years. In 1986 they moved back to Lincoln and Leo continued working in various print shops. The last 15 years of his life he made a slight shift in occupations, working side by side with his wife, Tracy, at American Solutions for Business as sales reps — Leo in printing and Tracy in promotional products.
His three children, Brad, Jenelle, and Rachel lit up his world. There is nothing he enjoyed more than getting the entire family together, whether it be for Christmas, for barbecues, or for family vacations. He loved to laugh and joke with both the kids and the grandkids, but you would also often see him sitting quietly with a smile on his face just listening to all the laughter. His family was his world.
In 2017, Leo and Tracy moved to Waverly, where they became active members of Bethlehem Covenant Church. Leo truly enjoyed every opportunity he got at BCC to serve people, both inside and outside the church. He deeply loved the people at Bethlehem Covenant and considered it to be one of God’s greatest blessings in his life.
Leo and his wife also volunteered with the Greater Waverly Area Foundation Fund, helping to raise funds for the new aquatic center in Waverly. While you would never find him in a swimming pool, it gave him great joy to think of the years of fun the children of the community would have there. Leo and his wife were also a part of the Waverly Chamber of Commerce where Leo loved being part of lining up the 4th of July parade and organizing businesses to hand out candy at the VFW for Halloween. He was also a TeamMate mentor, a calling he took very seriously.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy; children, Brad (Jess) Rettig, Jenelle (Chad) Stein, and Rachel (Aaron) Ramirez; grandchildren, Keaton, Hutton, Rustyn, Joey and Roosevelt Rettig, JT Stein, Ellie, Ezekiel, Scarlett, Natalie and Charlie Ramirez; mother, Marie Hernandez; sister, Karen (Randy) Failor; numerous (and we do mean NUMEROUS) nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, his sister, Anita Hernandez, and his son, Luke Hernandez.
Visitation will be 5:30 – 7:30PM, Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Roper & Sons Funeral Home, 10851 No. 148th St., Waverly, NE.
Funeral will be 11:00AM, Friday, October 6, 2023 at Bethlehem Covenant Church, 18841 No. 98th St., Waverly, NE.