Leon Eugene Fritzler, 89 of Sterling, CO passed away Friday, October 8, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Viewing will be held from 2 – 6 p.m., Thursday, October 14 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 15 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michelle Witherspoon officiating. Leon will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.

Leon was born October 6, 1932, in Sterling, Colorado to Edward and Ann Elizabeth (Ruppel) Fritzler. He was the last of 6 sisters and 5 brothers. Leon attended Springdale School and graduated from Sterling High School in 1951. Leon excelled in football and was All-Conference and All State. After high school, he received several scholarship opportunities to play football. Leon chose the Wyoming Cowboys. After his final season at Wyoming in 1954, Leon received a questionnaire from the Cleveland Browns to see if he was interested in playing professional football.

Leon married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Elledge on April 17, 1955. Leon received orders for induction into the U.S. Army on March of 1956. He was honorably discharged in December 1957. Leon and Marilyn had two sons, Doug in 1958 and Ken in 1962.

After Marilyn's sudden passing on April 21, 1971, Leon married Beverly Lebeda on December 28, 1974. Leon was a farmer and cattle feeder. He farmed for himself and his brothers Theodore, Robert, Albert, Edward, and brother-in-law John Lebsack. Leon fed cattle with Theodore, and together they formed T & L Fritzler Livestock Inc. He was still active on the farm with Doug and Ken at the time of his passing.

Leon was a lifetime member of Sterling Elks Lodge #1336, First Presbyterian Church and numerous associations involved with farming and cattle.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Ann Elizabeth (Ruppel) Fritzler; first wife Marilyn; six sisters Amelia Schott, Mary Lebsack, Katherine Brunkhardt, Irene Eisenach, Lydia Meisner and Frieda Knaub; four brothers Theodore, Robert, Albert, and Edward Fritzler. He was also preceded by granddaughters Kelsey and Alix (Saultner) Altenbern.

Leon is survived by his sons Doug Fritzler and wife Karen and Ken Fritzler and wife Jill; grandchildren Kelly Kaufman and husband Brad, Nicole Koester and husband Jason and Sean Fritzler; and great-grandchildren Alyssa Kaufman, Emily Kaufman, and Addison Koester.

He is also survived by wife Beverly, step son Phil Lebeda and wife Judy; daughter Tracy Peterson and husband Carl and their children Natasha, Anthony and Victoria; daughter Kathy Henson and her children Jack and Riley; step daughter Diane (Lebeda)  Altenbern and son Kyle Altenbern and wife Steffanie and their children Franchesca, Bennett, Abilene and Clementine.

Leon's family respectfully request that no flowers or plants be sent and that memorial contributions be sent to First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 130 S. 4 ^th St., Sterling, CO 80751 or to Hospice of the Plains, 100 Broadway St. Plaza, Suite 1A, Sterling, CO 80751.