Leroy Wuerdeman

Leroy A. ("Lee") Wuerdeman, 88 of Independence passed away Thursday August 17, 2017 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center surrounded by family after a brief illness.
He was born in 1929 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Edward and Leona (Schwenker) Wuerdeman. His parents and eight brothers preceded him in death. He is survived by two sisters, Bernice Hollabaugh of Independence and Alene Vogelsang of Newton, North Carolina.
When Lee was young, his family moved to rural Cherryvale. He attended Zion Lutheran School, Independence High School, and Independence Community College. Lee entered the active service as a paratrooper in the Army 82nd Airborne Division in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953. He remained in the military reserves until 1959. He worked for more than 30 years in accounting for Woods Lumber, and owned Big Valley Lumber in Caney. After retiring from full-time work in the 1980s, he continued to stay active working in carpentry.
On June 4, 1952, he married Ila Spencer of Independence in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They lived briefly in Fayetteville, North Carolina during his military service, and relocated to Independence permanently in 1953. They were active members of Zion Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ila, of the home; four children, Michael (Suzy) of Springfield, Missouri; Linda Carr (Kevin) of Lawrence, Kansas; Robert (Becky) of Columbus, Kansas; and Curtis (Scott) of Cuenca, Ecuador. They are also survived by five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Cremation will take place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Funeral home in Independence. Memorial services will take place at Zion Lutheran Church in October.
In memory of Leroy send memorials to Zion Lutheran Church School or Harry Hynes Hospice.

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