Leon W Howland

June 29, 1926 - June 11, 2016

Daddy was born on the farm south of Coldwater, Kansas on 06-29-26 to Martha Kindsvater and Harry Howland, Sr. He quit school when a junior to help on the farm. On 08-11-46, he married his sweetheart, Ida Berniece Sample. On 06-11-16, 18 days short of his 90th birthday, he joined her, his angel McKinzie, and his best friends, Alfred Beagley, Ray King, Lee Trammell, Gene Ferguson, Wayne Smith, Don Bishop, Gene Province, and Rex Bradt, to celebrate. Daddy was preceded in death by his parents, Ida's parents, Leonard and Hazel Sample, his siblings, Harry, Jr. (Ella) Howland, Darlene (Francis) Jantz, and Betty (Walt) Miller; sister and brother-in law, LeOna (Loyd) Bradt; brother and sister-in-law, Larry (Mae) Sample: nephews Walter, Jr. and Harold Miller, Delaine Jantz, Eddy Howland; and his great-granddaughter, McKinzie Claussen. In 1948, he went to work for Amon Vincent and Maynard Shelite in their auto repair business in Freedom. In 1951, he purchased the business. For the next 50+ years, he owned and operated the Freedom Motor Company. When he retired he moved his repair shop to his home. Leon served as a volunteer fireman and chief for 20 years, and was a strong supporter of the football team. He and Ida also worked for years with the local food pantry, and volunteered at the Museum. One of the highlights of his life was being chosen as the Old Cowhand in 2010. He is survived by his children, Gwen Winn (Gaylen) of Fairview, Rosalie Bliss (Jerry Hale) of Woodward, and Brian Howland (Rhonda) of Freedom and their families. He is also survived by his grandchildren Heather (Richard) Coit and family of Custer City; Janelle (Joe) Collins and family of Fairview; Cody (Alicia) Wheeler and family of Fairview; Nadia Howland and family of Hardtner, KS; Nikki (Travis) Woodson and family of Orlando; Oren (Desiree) Howland, Sheena Howland, and Bradon Howland, and families of Kiowa; Rhonda (Tim) Brand and family of Perry; Jerri Lynn (Troy) James and family of Crescent; Christa (Matt) Haley and family of Guthrie; 30 great and great-great Grandchildren; one brother Dean (Sylvia) Howland and family of Orange Beach, AL; nephews LeRoy Bradt and family of Selman, OK; LesLee Bradt of Alva, OK; Alan Sample of Renton, WA; Kevin Jantz and wife of Dodge City, KS; nieces Linda Miller and family of Hutchinson, KS; Donna Howland of TX; Larry Howland of TX; and numerous grand and great-grandchildren; other relatives, and many friends In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wharton Funeral Chapel to be divided equally between the Freedom Museum, Freedom Fire Dept., and Freedom Ambulance