Leonard Kienitz was born December 19, 1934, in Oseln, Latvia to the parents of Friedrich and Hulda (Radke) Kienitz. He was the second oldest of five children; Gerda Hagenau, Harry Kienitz, Helmut Kienitz and Rosemarie Reynolds. Leonard, 85, went to his Heavenly home December 2, 2020 at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.

Much of Leonard’s younger years were spent in Latvia and Poland because of WWII. He worked at every possible chance to help provide for his family as his father was drafted for war. His family was left to survive under difficult circumstances. Leonard was seen as a fatherly figure to many of his siblings even though he was quite young himself. In 1945, the family was able to escape to West Germany, where they spent the next few years rehabilitating and there they were able to reconnect with their father. In 1952, Leonard and his family were sponsored by the Ordway Baptist Church, and relocated to Ordway, Colorado through the displaced person’s program. Leonard was 17 at the time and worked at the haymill and then later at the sugar factory. He had many trips back to Germany later for work and to visit aunts, uncles and cousins. There were many influential and generous people that Leonard would later speak very highly of. Andrew Schimpf, Ervin and Virginia Schimpf and his own mother were held in high regard.

In Denver at the Emily Griffeth’s Opportunity School, Leonard got his draftsman's certification and his barber’s license. He was a survivor. He was always willing to learn what he did not know and had extraordinary confidence in trying anything new. He was married from June 30, 1967 - 2014 to Connie Marlene Chandler. They had their firstborn, Andrew, in Lemgo Germany and the rest of their children, Aaron, Anna, Adam, Adine, Allon Fred, and Alex were born in Denver, Colorado. In 1987, Pamela Nadine, Angela Joleen and Douglas Scott Schwartz lived out their childhood with Leonard and Connie as relative placement children. In 1970, Leonard began working at Jefferson County Schools moving temporary buildings. Later he worked in their sheet metal department and then eventually he helped with anything needed. His ability to do anything made him a major asset to the school system.

Leonard spent much of his free time fixing bicycles and biking, working on Volkswagens, practicing his locksmithing skills and going to the junkyard. He was known to buy a whole car just for the carburetor. He was always very frugal but very generous with his money when it came to others and the Lord’s work. Leonard’s love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, was shown in the admonition of his children and by his consistent reading through the Word of God.

Leonard was preceded in death by his infant son Alex, by his older sister Gerda Hagenau and by his younger brother Helmut Kienitz. His legacy continues with his nine children and his twenty-five grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at the Ordway Baptist Church with Reverend Don Parker officiating. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Ordway. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Lakewood, CO.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

www.peacockfh.com