In Memory of

Leon Pena Jr., 49, died Sunday, May 6, 2007 at Western Prairie Care Home in Ulysses.
He was born Nov. 18, 1957 to Leon Sr. and Mary (Mendoza) Pena at Paducah, Texas.
In 1960 he and his family moved North of Big Bow where he attended Big Bow Grade School and graduated from 1975 Stanton County High School. He began working for Ulysses Irrigation Pipe shortly after graduation. He moved to Ulysses in 1989 and for several years for the county day care center where he loved taking care of children of all ages with Kindness and compassion. In 1993 he went to work for High Plains Education as a para educator working with special ed students at Kepley Middle School and later at Ulysses High School.
He was a member of Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church and lived his life with faith in God and people. To those who knew him, he will always be remembered as gently, loving and caring man who seldom had a harsh word to say. Leon also enjoyed wildlife, gardening and was very artistic. He loved to go to church and sang in the church choir.
Survivors include his mother, Mary Pena; one sister, Patricia Kinsinger and husband, Mike, all of Ulysses; one brother, Henry Pena, Liberal; three nieces, one nephew and one great-nephew,
He was preceded in death by his father.
The Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ulysses. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church with Rev. James Dieker presiding. Burial will be in the Ulysses Cemetery.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Garnand Funeral Home, Ulysses.
Memorials are suggested to the Mary Queen of Peace Youth Group in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.