Emerald 'Leon' Larrington

Emerald "Leon" Larrington died April 19, 2003, at the Ainsworth Care Center at the age of 89 years. He was born April 1, 1914, at Laird, Colo. He was the fifth of six children of Robert Larington and Lillie (Minton) Larington. At the age of four years, Leon moved with his parents to Red Willow County. His youth was spent in the rural McCook area. He graduated from Red Willow High School in 1932.

On Oct. 24, 1935, he married Dawn Thompson. They farmed in the McCook area until they purchased a ranch and moved with the family to Springview, in Keya Paha County in March of 1950. They retired and moved to Ainsworth in 1978. His wife, Dawn, preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 1988.

Leon married Elaine (Lenington) Waits-Jackson on Sept. 1, 1989. They spent their years in Ainsworth and Neligh and last resided at Cottonwood Villa in Ainsworth. Survivors include his wife, Elaine of Ainsworth; daughters, Ladonna and husband, Warren Everts of McCook and Peggy and husband, Dick Stafford of Lancaster, Calif.; sons, Elton Larrington and wife, Ellen of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Gale Larrington and wife, Connie of Springview; step-sons, Brad Waits and wife, Cammie and Bart Waits and wife, Penny all of Ainsworth; along with 12 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Newell of Oshkosh. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Faye Larington and Cecile Beebe; and brothers, Devere and Dean.

Funeral services were Thursday, April 24, 2003, at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Fred Swett officiating. Interment was in the East Park Cemetery at Ainsworth. The Merrill Womach music selections, "He Touched Me," "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," and "Old Rugged Cross" were played. Casketbearers were: Darrin, Brian, Bill and Robert Larrington, Micki Clark, Terri Fink, Jason, Marcus and Shawn Everts, Barbara Young, Jymme Shaw and Scott Anderson.

Memorials were to be made to the family in his name or to the donor's choice.