Leland Wentworth, Jr.

Cremation services were requested. Leland's book will be available for signing at the funeral home. Service Saturday will be lived streamed on Hutchins Facebook page.

Leland Neal Wentworth, Jr of Franklin, NE passed away peacefully on December 13, 2021, at the age of 54.

Born September 3, 1967 at Red Cloud, Nebraska, he was the son of Neal and Gaylene (Kennedy) Wentworth. Leland married his longtime sweetheart Sally Decker in the fall of 2000. Together they had twin sons, Logan Neal and Spencer James.

Leland was a graduate of Franklin High School Class of 1985 where he played football and was involved in FFA. He attended University of Nebraska Lincoln and then worked at TO Haas Bandag until 2003. He, Sally and the boys then moved to Franklin where he carried on the legacy of Poppy as the best butcher in the area.  People traveled from all over to the Rightway grocery to purchase the very best of steaks from Leland.  In his final years, he worked in the parts department for Landmark Implement.

Leland was a Mason and a member of the First Plymouth Church. He was a proud supporter of the Franklin FFA and the Franklin County 4H program.

Leland had a fun-loving spirit that commanded a room, and a heartfelt jovial belly-laugh that filled it.  He was a comedian, jokester, prankster, and extraordinary storyteller. If a situation lacked fun, Leland was sure to provide his own.

He was a lover of history, music, Nebraska football, the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburg Steelers, a good Nebraska baseball game with a Husker-red hot dog, and Sunday naps in his favorite recliner. He was also an artist who loved drawing with his sons, nieces, and nephews, and had a talent for creating snowflakes.

Even more than hunting, fishing, sports, and the great outdoors, Leland loved sharing his skills and knowledge with others. He served for years as a Cub Scout leader and Scout Master and enjoyed coaching the Alma Mudcats baseball team with his good friend Brian Lennemann. He was a patient coach and mentor with a knack for creating joy and fun in every situation.

Always a gracious host who made people feel important and welcome, Leland had a servant’s heart and selflessly lived his life for others. He was crazy in love with Sally and his boys, and he lived to be there for Logan and Spencer and all their adventures and activities.  Never to be missed in the crowd, Leland was a beautiful, exuberant soul who knew how to live life large.   Although he was entirely too humble to admit just how much he was loved and adored, we are honored and grateful to call him ours.

Leland is survived by wife Sally, sons Logan and Spencer, his parents Neal and Gaylene, his brothers Norm and family, Doug and family, Marvin and family, mother-in-law Sarah Decker, his brother-in-law Chris Decker and family, and an abundance of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Merlin Wentworth, grandparents Ray and Emma Wentworth and Caroline Kennedy, his father-in-law Dennis Decker and his “ultimate roommate” James (Poppy) Wilsman.

Leland’s services will be held Saturday December 18th at 2 o’clock pm at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Franklin, NE Pastor Jay Towell officiating.   Inurnment was in Greenwood Cemetery with Masonic Rites by Lodge No. 264 A.F. & A.M. Memorials can be made to the Leland Wentworth family.  Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin assisted the Wentworth family with these arrangements.