Alexius “Alex” Leiker, 83, Hays, died surrounded by family on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at HaysMed.
He was born August 17, 1936 in Liebenthal, the son of Alexander and Christina (Enslinger) Leiker. He was a United States Army Veteran and owned and operated Leiker Plumbing, Heating, and Air.
On December 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to Betty L. Mermis in Hays, and they celebrated nearly 39 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on October 1, 1998.
On June 30, 2001, he was united in marriage to Marilyn (Werth) Klaus in Hays, and they celebrated over 18 years of marriage. He was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays American Legion Post #173, Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #4166, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He liked to work, enjoyed tinkering and fixing things, helping his boys when they were in Boy Scouts, and camping and being outdoors.
Survivors include his wife; Marilyn of the home in Hays, four sons; Curtis Leiker and wife Davina of Olathe, Wesley Leiker and wife Jennifer of Hays, Todd Leiker of Olathe, and Michael Leiker and wife Kelly of Hays, two stepsons; Neil Klaus and wife Sondra of Hays, and Nolan Klaus of Olathe, 14 grandchildren; Matthew Leiker, Bethany Boschert and husband Ian, Anjel Leiker, Alexis Leiker and husband Jason Banning, Emily Leiker, Hannah Leiker, Adam Klaus, Amber Klaus, Brett Leiker, Lizzie Leiker, Mackenzie Klaus, Truan Leiker, Nathan Leiker, and Jessica Leiker, three great grandchildren, four brothers; Pete Leiker and wife Roberta of Wichita, Chris Leiker and wife Rose of Great Bend, Tony Leiker of Lubbock, TX, and Linus Leiker of Baldwin City, a sister; Jane Dreiling and husband Hubert of Kansas City, MO, a brother-in-law; Oscar McIntosh of Great Bend, and a sister-in-law; Jan Leiker of Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife; Betty, a brother; Merwyn Leiker, a sister; Leona McIntosh, a sister and brother-in-law; Anita and Darrell Engel, and two sisters-in-law; Gwen Leiker and Jeannette Leiker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, with Fr. Jarett Konrade officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 until 9:45 on Thursday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30pm until 6:30, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Nicholas of Myra building fund or to TMP-Marian High School. Condolences and memories of Alex may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com