Merle LeRoy Lietz, 95, went to be with his Lord on September 12, 2019. Merle was born June 11, 1924, to William and Emma (Hauer) Lietz in rural Paxico, KS, in the Vera community.
He was baptized on July 6, 1924, and re-affirmed his baptismal faith when he was confirmed on July 5, 1938, at Trinity Lutheran Church, McFarland, KS. His confirmation verse was Hebrews 13:5—“Be content with such things as you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
He attended local schools and graduated from Maple Hill High School in1941. He was the owner–operator of Lietz Construction Company for over 70 years. He was blessed with a servant heart and enjoyed his many customers, serving his community and his church in many capacities through the years. He was married to Nora Jean (Gehrt) Lietz on May 2, 1948, at Trinity. They were blessed with three daughters: Sheryl, Jean Anne, and Linda; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His family was very special to him.
He was a life-long member of Trinity, McFarland, where he served in many capacities. He first served as chairman of the congregation at the age of 19 and in the years following, in nearly every office including chairman, elder, and youth leader.
He served in the church at large on the Kansas District LCMS Board of Directors, Chairman of several District stewardship drives, Chairman of LCMS 150th Anniversary Committee and the 100th Kansas District anniversary. He was also honored to serve on the Synod’s Council on Stewardship where he received special recognition for his six years of service. He was honored to receive the Christus Vivit Award from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1993 for his service to church and community. “To God be the Glory.”
Some of the best years of his life was his involvement with the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) where he was blessed to serve locally, in the Zone and as Kansas District Vice-President, President and on the International Board as Region 9 Governor and Financial Secretary.
He and his wife, Norie, attended 48 consecutive Intl. LLL conventions all over the United States and Canada where they met and enjoyed life-long friends. This was always considered their yearly vacation, but the theme of Lutheran Hour Ministries, “Bringing Christ to the Nations,” was most important to Merle. He was also a member of the Flint Hills Gideon Camp whose purpose also was to bring others to Christ as they placed Bibles all over the world.
Merle had a love for life and for people….never knowing a stranger and enjoyed being a part and serving the community. He served on the School board (17 years), on the Wabaunsee County Fair Board (35 years) and the Wabaunsee Co. Planning Commission from it’s beginning (nearly 50 years). He was a member of Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation Service, and a 50-year member of the Kansas Land Improvement Contractors Association (KLICA) and various other community organizations.
Merle was blessed with a poetic mind and known as the “Paxico Poet.” Over the years he has written six volumes (hundreds) of poems for friends and family for special occasions and his involvement in many organizations. He always had a poem for every special family occasion and Christmas letter each year and left a special legacy for his family.
He leaves his wife, Nora (Norie) of 71 years, his daughters Sheryl (David) Meier, Maple Hill, Jean Anne Lietz, Topeka, and Linda (Tom) Stanton, Hutchinson, six grandchildren, Cara (John) Brooks, Carisa Meier, Peter (Megan) Meier, Mendy (Jason) Brady, Rebecca (Jared) Wolfe and Nathan Stanton; and great-grandchildren Makayla Brady, Mason Brady, Kylie Brooks, Joshua Brooks, and Logan VanMeter. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Howard (Edna) Lietz and his sister, Norma (Herb) Stuewe and an infant grandson, Curtis Meier.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland, Kansas. Reverend Chris Vossler and Reverend Robert Grimm will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem Cemetery on Snokomo Road. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the Church, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Merle will lie-in-state beginning at 5:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church, McFarland, KS, Lutheran Hour Ministries, or Gideons International and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home.