Kay Co., OK - Obits: Joseph J. Leven
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Andy Leven <aleven@astound.net>

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Joseph J. Leven; born January 6, 1866; died January 7, 1940.
Newspaper article – paper and date unknown.

Joseph J. Leven, Priest's Father, Called by Death. Full Rites for Beloved
Pioneer Held at Newkirk On Wednesday.

Newkirk, Jan. 10. Hundreds of friends from throughout Kay County crowded into
St. Francis church this morning to pay their final respects to Joseph J.
Leven, 74, father of Rev. Stephen A. Leven, pastor of Tonkawa and Blackwell.
Solemn requiem Mass was sung by Father Leven with Rev. Emil Ghyssaert, Deacon
and Rev. Thomas Green, the Sub-deacon. Rev. Paul Brown was Master of
Ceremonies. …………

Mr. Leven passed away in the rectory at Tonkawa at 9:40 a.m. Sunday.  Present
at his bedside were his daughters, Sister M. Anselm of Dodge City and Mrs.
Katherine Larchey, and his sons, Anton and Frank. Miss. Christine Luecke, who
cared for Mr. Leven during the past year, was also at the bedside. Father I
even had left for Blackwell shortly before the end. He said Mass and preached
the sermon despite the bad news he received upon his arrival……..

The deceased was born Jan. 6, 1866 in Germany. His parents were Ferdinand and
Elizabeth Leven.  He came to the U.S. at the age of 18, settling in Illinois
where he met his future wife, Gertrude Conrady. They were married in Mendota,
Illinois, on Oct. 9, 1888.

To this union were born nine children. They were in order of birth: Gertrude,
she died in infancy; Katherine, who is now Mrs. N. A. Larchey of Newkirk;
Otto, who was killed in action at St. Mihiel on October 2, 1918; Maria, who is
now Mrs. L.C. Gray of McPherson, Kans.; Anton, who lives at Newkirk; Joseph of
Forsyth, Georgia; Rosa Elizabeth, who is now Sister Mary Anselm of the Sisters
of St. Joseph at Wichita, Kansas; Father Stephen of Tonkawa, and Frank of
Newkirk.

The six eldest children were born in Illinois, after which the family moved to
Oklahoma coming to Blackwell on April 25, 1900, and settling on a farm
northwest of Blackwell.  They have lived in Kay County ever since at
Blackwell, Tonkawa, Ponca City and Nardin before purchasing a farm near
Newkirk and settling there in 1915. In July 1929, Mr. And Mrs. Leven retired
from the farm to residence in Newkirk where Mr. Leven died on May 7, 1936.
Besides his children, the deceased is survived by one brother, Anton, of
Saulsburg, Mo.

Mr. Leven led an edifying, Christian life and was an inspiring example to
thousands in Kay County. He adhered rigorously to teachings of the Church,
radiating charity in his words and actions. The ordination of his son brought
him supreme joy. The resignation at the death of his wife was remarkable. The
fact that he was beloved by both priests and laity mirrored the fact of his
wonderful life, which was spent unselfishly to rear a truly Catholic family.
May his soul rest in peace.