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Leo Harold Baum 1923 - 2022

Leo Harold Baum, 98, passed away July 25, 2022, at Country Place Senior Living Memory Care, Hoisington.  He was born August 28, 1923, at Susank, Kan., to Andrew and Katherine (Schmidt) Baum.  Leo married Loretta Jean Cronn Dec. 12, 1949, in Russell, Kan.  They celebrated 72 years of marriage last December.

Leo, a resident of Hoisington since 1970 coming from Paradise, Kan., was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia.  Following his honorable discharge on March 29, 1947, he worked in the oilfield, the Helium Plant in Otis and later as a tool pusher for Mohawk Drilling.  In his later years he was employed at Great Bend feeding as a night watchman.  Leo enjoyed fishing, music, playing his guitar and spending time with family.  He was a Life member of the V.F.W., Russell, and was a devoted member of the Christian faith, accepting Christ at the age of 18.  Leo shaped his life around his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and made it his life's work to embrace and spread the Word.

Survivors include his wife Loretta of the home; two sons, Leo Baum, Jr. (Vicky) of Rusk, Texas, and Gordon Baum (Karen) of Buchannon, W.V.; two daughters, Ginger Cotten (Joe) of Hoisington, and Brenda Roat (Damon Phelps) of Hoisington; son-in-law Terry Hekele of Great Bend; grandchildren, Leo C. Baum, Bri Foresman, Kim Gould, Angela Gould, Tina Harman, Cassie Andrews, Kristin Wilt, Terri Umphres, Tiffany Hekele, Tyann Miller, Micah Cotten, Sarah Simic, Rebekah Ohlde, Joey Cotten, Kristin Roat, DJ Miller and Trenton Roat; 22 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; two brothers, George Baum of Great Bend and Jake Baum (Mary) of Kansas City, Kan.; and two sisters, Hilda Jacobs of Gorham and Lydia Kaufman (Gary) of Great Bend.  He was preceded in passing by daughter, Leota Hekele; and siblings, Helen Wolford, Mary Mermis, Edward Baum, Josephine Shreve, Rosie Thompson, Margaret Bissett, Viola Brown, Kenny Baum and Emil Baum.

Loretta Jean Baum 1931 - 2023

Loretta Jean Baum, 92, passed away February 8, 2023, at Credo Senior Living in Hoisington. She was born February 7, 1931, at Russell, to George and Opal (Whitman) Cronn. She married Leo Harold Baum on December 12, 1949, at Russell.  He died July 25, 2022.

Loretta, a Hoisington resident since 1970 coming from Paradise, Kan., worked for Clara Barton Hospital in the dietary speciality and housekeeping departments, also working for Fuller Brush Co. for many years.  She enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, cooking, and was known for her gift of hospitality, cherishing time spent with family and friends.  Above all, Loretta was a devoted member of the Christian faith, shaping her life around her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Survivors include two sons, Leo Baum, Jr. (Vicky) of Rusk, Texas, and Gordon Baum (Karen) of Buchannon, W.V.; two daughters, Ginger Cotten (Joe) of Hoisington, and Brenda Roat (Damon Phelps) of Hoisington; son-in-law Terry Hekele of Great Bend; grandchildren, Leo C. Baum, Bri Foresman, Kim Gould, Angela Gould, Tina Harman, Cassie Andrews, Kristin Wilt, Terri Umphres, Tiffany Hekele, Tyann Miller, Micah Cotten, Sarah Simic, Rebekah Ohlde, Joey Cotten, Kristin Roat, DJ Miller and Trenton Roat; 22 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; and one brother, Duane Cronn (Carol) of Paradise. She was preceded in death by daughter, Leota Hekele; and two sisters, Leota Harrell and Shirley Nelson.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m Sunday, February 12, with family to receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2023, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel in Hoisington, with Pastor Don Fisher.  Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials have been designated to the Church of the Nazarene or Gentiva Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS  67544.