Leslie Bennett Stretch of Hamlet, Neb., passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Broken Bow Care and Rehabilitation Center in Broken Bow, Neb. He was 93 years old.
    Leslie was born on June 3, 1923 in Hayes County north of Wauneta on the family farm to parents Ira “Mart” and Flora (Bennett) Stretch. He graduated from Wauneta High School with the class of 1942.
    He entered the US Army on May 23, 1945 and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged on October 29, 1946. After his return from the service Leslie worked for John Deere in Bartley and then for John Deere and the Ford Garage in Wauneta as a mechanic.
    On June 18, 1950 he was united in marriage to Mildred P. Spears at Stratton, Neb. To this union two sons, Leslie Dwayne and Eddie Wayne were born. They made their home in Wauneta for a time before moving to a farm north of Hamlet in Hayes County in 1953. Leslie loved the farming life, growing corn and wheat, as well as raising cattle and hogs. In 1983 the couple moved to Hamlet and Leslie would continue to farm until his retirement in July of 2009.
    He was a member of the Wauneta American Legion Post 304 and National Farmer’s Organization (NFO). He served on the Hamlet City Board. When Leslie wasn’t farming he loved restoring old tractors and was especially proud of his “D” John Deere. He also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and friends.
    Preceding Leslie in death were his parents, Ira and Flora Stretch; his wife, Mildred Stretch on September 23, 2009; brother, Lloyd “Bud” Stretch and his wife, Roberta; sisters, Ethel and her husband, Howard Bridgeman; Ellen and husband, Gordon Prior; sister-in-law, Eunice Stretch; and brother-in-law, Bill Kennedy.
  Survivors include his two sons, Leslie Dwayne Stretch of North Platte and Eddie Wayne Stretch and wife, Michelle, of Elm Creek; two granddaughters, Michele Stretch and Melinda Stretch both of Lincoln; step-granddaughter, Ashley Groves of Kearney; and step-grandson, Cameron Groves of Arapahoe; brother, Oscar of Longmont, Colo.; sister, Lola Kennedy of Culbertson; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
    Memorials may be given in his name.
    Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, Neb.
    Funeral services were Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at the Wauneta Community Building with Randy Hayes officiating. Burial followed with full military honors in the Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Neb.
    Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.