Ed Leeper

It is with profound sadness and loving remembrance that we announce the passing of Ed Leeper, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Ed peacefully departed this world on June 20, 2026, at the age of 72, in the comfort of his home in Winslow, Nebraska. Born on September 24, 1953, in Greenfield, Iowa, Ed was the beloved son of the late Leo and Santa Leeper. Ed's journey through life was marked by love, dedication, and an indomitable spirit. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Wesley and Larry, his sister Carol Stanley, and his in-laws Floyd and Martha Janecek. He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of over fifty years, Nancy Janecek Leeper, and his daughters: Rebecca Leeper of Tulsa, OK; her son Jared Clark and his wife Alexandra of Lincoln, Molly Reynolds and her husband Brad with their children Emma and Maddox of Olathe, KS; Jennifer Miller Leeper and her husband Henry with their children Leo, Ruby, and Dexter of Lincoln, NE; and Emily Carlson and her husband Casey with their children Wyatt and Piper of Hooper, NE. Ed is also survived by his brother Leo Leeper, and sisters Pat Lebs and Rita Weltikol, all of Fremont, as well as sisters Laura Smith and Linda Thiele of Texas, and his sister-in-law Mary Heineman, and brother-in-law Don and his wife Joanne Thomas of Huntsville, Alabama. He leaves behind eight adored grandchildren who were the light of his life. After meeting his lifelong partner Nancy at the tender age of 16, they married on November 24, 1972, and settled in Fremont, NE. In 1978, they acquired a bar, affectionately named the Blue Kantern, in Winslow, Nebraska. Ed cherished the small-town life, raising his daughters and grandson Jared with Nancy. His community spirit shone brightly through his years of service with the Winslow Fire Department and squad, where he served as captain and taught CPR. Ed's professional life was diverse and fulfilling, with three distinct careers each spanning 15 years. He worked at Hormel's on the kill floor, followed by a tenure at Valmont Industries as an EMT and in security, and concluded his professional journey with General Fire and Safety in sales and service. A proud graduate of Fremont High School in 1971, Ed also held a National EMT certification and underwent extensive firemanship training. Affectionately known as "Catfish Eddie," Ed was passionate about fishing and airboating, a love he shared with his family and many fishing buddies. Smiley's annual Catfish Days and the airboat launches from their place on the Elkhorn were cherished traditions. He had a fondness for card playing and gambling, from Hormel poker parties to betting on the ponies, always with a twinkle in his eye and a friendly smile. Ed's life was a testament to resilience and love. He courageously battled and overcame personal challenges for the love of his family, celebrating years of sobriety and being smoke-free. He survived a heart valve replacement and bravely managed diabetes from his 30s onward. A true adventurer at heart, Ed participated in demolition derbies, including a combine demo at the Nebraska State Fair, and survived a mayor's race hot rod crash in Columbus. He also found joy in coaching his daughters' softball teams through high school. In his later years, Ed found immense happiness in road trips with Nancy and attending his grandchildren's sports events. The legacy of his love and laughter will forever echo in the hearts of those who knew him. A celebration of Ed's life will be held on July 18, 2026, at 2:54 PM at Leeper’s Landing at Carlson's Cove, 949 Hwy 77, Hooper, NE. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to [Donation Organization TBD]. The family wishes to convey a special message: Ed certainly fought his demons, but he won them all for the love of his family. His journey, though marked by challenges, was ultimately one of triumph and enduring love. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.