Leo Norman Soyland of Topeka went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 19, 2018 in Topeka, KS. 

He was born January 11, 1939 in Horton, KS to Olaf and Elizabeth Swartz Soyland.  He grew up on the farm south of Denton, KS and attended Mt. Vernon Elementary School in rural Denton and graduated from Denton High School in 1957.  Before and following graduation from high school, he served in the Army National Guard for a total of 7 years.  He was a well-known, successful, and knowledgeable farmer and farmed in the Leona, Highland, and Denton areas.  
            
He married Catherine Ann Matthias on June 2, 1963 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bendena, KS.  He was a loving father to Karen, Kelli, and Paul.  He made a home for his family on the farm south of Denton, KS where he lived and farmed nearly all his working life.  In later years, after retiring from farming, he drove for Keim Transportation, Sabetha, KS and Laidlaw and Durham School Services, Topeka, KS.  He was respected by his peers as a farmer, truck driver, and bus driver; and he was beloved by the many school children he transported during his years as a bus driver.   

Leo and his wife, Catherine, enjoyed travelling many different places as well as spending time in the Phoenix, AZ area.  In recent years, he and Catherine had travelled to various places in California, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, and the Pacific Northwest.  Wherever he was, Leo never knew a stranger and spent a great deal of time talking with people from all walks of life.  He made friends very easily and was always interested in people’s lives.  He valued the conversations he had with them and always respected their opinions. His kind, gentle, and loving spirit was evident in the way he treated others, and he was always willing to help anyone.  

He enjoyed spending time with his family, telling stories, looking at pictures of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and talking about his life experiences. He liked talking about farming, tractors (especially John Deere), road trips he had taken, and vacations taken with his family.  He knew practically every highway number across the country as well as every John Deere dealership along the way.  No matter where in the USA he was, he could be seen walking up to someone saying, “Don’t I know you?” (and he could usually figure out a connection to them).  He often re-visited places he had been and talked to people that he had become acquainted with there, and he was always remembered by them.  

Above all, he was a Christian man who loved God, and it was evident in his life.  He loved and cared for his family in a way that honored God and lovingly led by example. He, along with Catherine, taught his children to pray, study God’s Word, and apply those teachings to their lives.  He lived his faith daily in the way that he loved others, helped those in need, and respected all regardless of who they were or their lot in life.  He was a former member of Gideons International where he participated in Bible distribution and placement, the jail ministry, and speaking in churches on behalf of the organization.  He also was invited several times to preach as a substitute preacher in churches throughout northeast Kansas.  

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Soyland, Robinson, KS on September 25, 2017.  He is survived by his wife, Catherine, of the home; daughter Kelli Scott (Phillip) of Colorado Springs, CO; son Paul Soyland (Erica) of Lawrence, KS, son-in-law Roger Tollefson (Karen Soyland), rural Robinson, KS; sister LaVerne Soyland Miller (Eugene), Kansas City, MO.  Grandchildren include Maria Compton (Justin Baccardo), Heidi Smith (Justin), Brendan Compton (Becky), Hannah Olson (Taylor), Breanna Compton; Leah Haden, Kyle Haden. Step-grandchildren Joshua Tollefson (Evette) and Tabor Dean Tollefson (Monica).   Great grandchildren include Jude, Lucas, Benjamin, Landon, Tate, Channing, and Crew.  Step-great Grandchildren include Joshua, Elizabeth, Caleb, Joaquin, Mateo, Camila. He was also survived by one Grand-dog, Molly; and was preceded in death by one Grand-dog, Jackson.

Memorial services are planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha.  Matt Matthias will officiate.  Private family inurnment will be at the Ununda Cemetery, north of Robinson.

The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorials are requested to Barrow Neurological Institute in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, 66434.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com