Leonard Swartz
FULLERTON–Leonard Eugene Swartz, age 90, of Fullerton, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Valley View Assisted Living in Fullerton.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton, with Phil Tilson officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Fullerton American Legion Post #151 and the United States Army Honor Guard.
Leonard was born on April 14, 1934, to Carl and Viola “Girlie” (Bridgeland) Swartz on the family farm near Fullerton. He attended school by Silver Creek until the eighth grade, after which he began working wherever he could—often with his first tractor, a 1940 Ford that made him feel “happy as a lark.” In those early days, he would even pitch manure by hand just so he’d have something to do with his tractor.
In the summer of 1956, Leonard helped build one of the Loup River bridges south of Fullerton. It was brutally hot, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees nearly every day—but Leonard stuck with it, just as he always did when there was work to be done.
That same year, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. During his time in service, he earned his GED and was honorably discharged in 1958. Upon returning home, Leonard resumed farming alongside his father and took on various dirt work projects. He loved being behind the wheel and never shied away from hard work. Leonard continued farming until his retirement.
He had a gift for welding and fabricating, and a lifelong passion for CAT equipment and tractors. In his later years, he found great joy in his daily drives. A man of principle and quiet action, Leonard joined the 1979 tractorcade to Washington, D.C., to protest commodity prices. Years later, in 2012, he proudly participated in the world’s largest tractor parade at the Nebraska State Fair.
He is survived by his children, Greg Swartz of Fullerton and Ann (Lance) Naderhoff of Lincoln; grandsons Mason and Joshua Naderhoff; his sister, Patsy L. (Rodney) Russell of Fullerton; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.