Leon Albert Ardueser, 93, passed away the evening of March 3, 2024, at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado. He was born to Emil and Jessie (Roach) Ardueser on April 12, 1930.
He was raised on the family farm south of Bethune. Growing up during the Depression and World War II shaped his values and his interests. He was an avid reader and had a keen mind for all things mechanical. In high school he earned a trip to Chicago to the national 4-H Congress. As a senior, he was a starter on the 1948 Burlington High School basketball team when they won the state championship. He received a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Agriculture from Colorado A&M (later CSU).
While there, he married Carolyn Anderson. To this union four children were born. Leon taught vocational agriculture, biology, and other subjects when needed at Wiley, Cope, and Burlington before expanding his teaching range to Barry, IL. During the late 1950s, he worked as a sales engineer at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL, then with FHA in Greeley before returning to teaching in Crook.
He worked his way through graduate school and earned a master’s degree in school administration from UNC. The rest of his professional career was as Superintendent or Principal at Dove Creek, Flagler, Granada, Kit Carson, Cripple Creek, High Plains (Vona-Seibert), Liberty (Kirk-Joes) before retiring in Yuma.
Leon and Carolyn traveled extensively, enjoying cruises and self-guided tours of several countries on four continents. During his retirement he developed a home-based business, repairing hundreds of cars, trucks, and farming equipment over the years, and helping friends and family with harvest.
Leon is survived by children Denise Tomlin of Lakewood, Gail Ardueser of Yuma, Bill (Kim) Ardueser of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Kathy (Neal) McLaughlin of Centennial, grandchildren Brian (Jamie) Tomlin of Morrison, Chris and Megan McLaughlin of Centennial, Andy Ardueser of Ottumwa, Jill Ardueser of Ames, Iowa, and step-grandson Clint (Laura) Ammenhauser of Ottumwa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his parents, and his sister, Gloria.
A private family celebration of Leon’s life will be held. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite public library or the Colorado FFA Foundation.