Leonard J. Mazankowski, 86, of Kearney, died Sunday, November 17, 2013 at the St. John's Good Samaritan Society. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Alex Borzych officiating. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013 at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pleasanton. Military rites will be provided at the church Thursday by the Kearney American Legion Post #52, Kearney V.F.W. Post #759, and the Nebraska National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard was born February 13, 1927 in Loup City, Nebraska to John and Maggie (Kowalaski) Mazankowski. He attended school in Loup City. He joined the Army in 1945, and served in Germany during WW II. Leonard married Joyce Carmen on May 5, 1950 in Broken Bow. They later divorced. He married Alberta Kruger in Kearney in 1964. They lived in Kearney, and then Pleasanton where he owned and operated the Pleasanton café. They moved to Muscatine, Iowa. Leonard worked as a welder and maintenance man for the Heinz Company. He retired in 1989. Leonard moved back to Kearney in 1996 after Alberta passed away. He enjoyed helping his nephew farm near Kearney. Leonard liked spending time with his family and friends, watching the Huskers, and listening to polka music. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the Kearney Eagle's Club, Kearney American Legion Club, Kearney V.F.W. Club, and the Knights of Columbus.

Leonard is survived by his wife Marion Mazankowski of Kearney, NE, son Dennis Mazankowski and his wife Robin of Kearney, NE, daughters; Connie Nutt and her husband Wendall Nutt of Axtell, NE, Candy McMullen and her husband Bill of Kearney, NE, step-sons; Charles Cervantes and his wife Shelli of Loreda, FL, Michael Cervantes of McCook, NE, step-daughters; Dolores Cervantes of Greensville, IL, Nancy BeeBee of Kearney, NE, Gladys Spencer and her husband Bob of Kearney, NE, sisters; Irene Schmitz of Kearney, NE, Florence Stephens of Albany, OR, Rita Moore and her husband Bill of Albany, OR, Dorothy Fox and her husband Jerome of Council Bluffs, IA, Marietta Perlinger of Elsie, NE, brother Del Mazankowski and his wife Phyllis of Colfax, CA, eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 12 step grandchildren, four step great grandchildren.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, two brothers, and his wife Alberta.