Leonard "Leni" Zealand Obituary (2014)

A Celebration of life gathering for Leonard “Leni” Zealand , age 63 of Kennard, will be held Thursday May 1 at 6pm at the Fremont Airboat Club 3159 Big Island Road, Fremont, NE, Directions: Broad Street/HW77 to Wooden Windmill (do not go to Military Ave) turn right onto Ridge Road and follow the signs. Leni died April 20, 2014 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Leni Zealand was born on May 25, 1950 in Crosby, Minnesota to Gordon and Elaine (Hussman) Zealand. He was raised in Council Bluffs and attended school there. In 1969 he began working at Western Electric and retired from there in 2001. On December 26, 1997 he was united in marriage to Sheila Houser in Omaha. The couple met the day after Christmas in 1989, and were married on that day eight years later. The couple made their home in Omaha and then in 2000 moved to Kennard. Leni was a musician his entire life. One of his bands opened for the Mama’s & The Papa’s at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha. He was in several bands in the Omaha area over the years. He enjoyed air boating and was a member of the airboat club in Fremont. He also enjoyed fishing, especially his annual trips to Minnesota where his goal was to out fish his wife. Camping was also a hobby he enjoyed. He was a very social person who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sheila of Kennard, daughter Lynn (Dan) Engelke of Gilbert, AZ, son Todd (Jami) Zealand of Omaha, and son Chad ( Michele) Zealand of Omaha, 7 grandchildren, father Gordon Zealand of California, brother Gordy Zealand of Omaha and sister Kaylene Drummond of California.