Leland John Sawtell

Leland John Sawtell, 83 of Newcastle, NE passed away on Friday, August 21, 2020 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial services will be at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Gospel Chapel in Newcastle.  Covid 19 restrictions will be observed with 50% capacity and social distancing. Services will be livestreamed on the Gospel Chapel Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gospelchapelnewcastle.  Private family burial will be in the Newcastle Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca. Online condolences may be sent to https://www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Leland was born September 4, 1936 in Allen, NE; he was the son of Merlin and Ida (Armstrong) Sawtell. Leland grew up in the Allen and Newcastle area. Leland graduated from Newcastle High School in 1954. Following high school, Leland served in the U.S. Army.

On July 18, 1959, he married the love of his life, Aileta Louise Nylund at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Aileta passed away on September 27, 1998.

Following his service in the Army, Leland farmed in the Allen and Newcastle areas for many years and also drove the school bus for the Allen and Newcastle school systems. At the same time, Leland worked full time at IBP (Iowa Beef Processors). In later years, Leland graduated from Western Iowa Tech, in Sioux City, Iowa,  where he studied banking and finance. Upon retiring from farming, Leland watched over the Newcastle Landfill and mowed the Newcastle cemetery.

Leland was a member of the Gospel Chapel for over 40 years. Leland enjoyed singing and sang in several quartets throughout the years. He also enjoyed traveling, cooking, photography, antique tractors, reading and most of all spending time with his family.

Survivors include his children: Lynette Kardell (Derwin) of Yutan, NE, John Sawtell (Wendy) of Colorado Springs, Co, Sheryl Hofer (Cordell) of Salem, SD, Beth Epp (John) of Marion, SD, Amy Holzworth (Byron) of Scottsbluff, NE and Craig Sawtell (Courtney) of Dixon, NE; his brother Dale Sawtell of Seattle, WA and his sister Alta Rosenbaum of Elk Point, SD; 23 grandchildren and 3 great grandsons.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Aileta and a sister Lilly Marie Sawtell.

Memorials can be directed to the family for Village Mission or the Dougherty Hospice House.