A gift that lasts forever Medallions and keychains for Christmas.
Sign in Shop
Portrait of Leonard Vance Stirn
In loving memory of the family man,

Leonard Vance Stirn

Family Man
May 31, 1950 – January 6, 2023
Lived 72 years
Franklin Cemetery · South of Tescott, Kansas
"Top of the morning" - in a crackling voice to wake mema up. "Oh lord it's hard to be humble"- with chuckle "Well…anyway" - change of topic in discussion. "That's all. Bye" - voice-mail ending
Life story

Leonard Vance Stirn, known as Vance, passed away Friday evening, January 6, 2023, in Tescott, KS, at the age of 72. He collapsed and died unexpectedly after hunting with his grandson. He passed away doing what he loved.

He was born May 31, 1950, in Salina, KS to Leonard and Doris Stirn of Tescott. He was the third child of four and the only son. Vance met Donna, his wife of 50 years, at InnerVarsity Christian Fellowship where, with a push from his little sister Rosa, they were introduced. Nine months later they were married on August 15, 1972. Together they had two sons, Chad Christopher and Jarvis Lee.

Vance was a loving husband, father, uncle, mentor and Christian man. He studied Auto Mechanics at Vo Tech in Salina, He attended Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, MO. He returned to Tescott to run the family farm for 50 years.

Vance enjoyed hunting, fishing, and an evening bowl of ice cream. Most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family and the community. He was a member of Farm Bureau where he served on the board for 23 years. Vance was a recipient of the 1991 Banker's Award for Soil Conservation Practices because of his environmental work on water conservation by terracing his fields, creating waterways and fields for wildlife. In 2007 Vance and Donna received the Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Award. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He was President of the Church Council and a deacon at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Tescott.,

Vance is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Doris Stirn, sisters Joan Yordy, Corrine Tannahill and Rosa Brauer and granddaughter, Grace Stirn.

Vance leaves behind his loving wife Donna; his two sons Chad Stirn of Beverly, KS, Jarvis Stirn and his wife Sarah of Lawrence, KS; and three grandchildren, Zoie, Caitlin, and Joey.

Read the obituary
Photos
Lifetime

The world Leonard knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1950
Born May 31
1950
Born in Salina, KS to Leonard and Doris Stirn lived in the basement of the new house on the farm as the top level was not complete yet
1956
Enters 1st grade of a one room school house less than a mile to the west of his home
1957
Leonard was 7 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik
1958
Changes schools in 3rd grade (What is now the Tescott Museum) elementary school Tescott Grade School (Grades 1-3)
1959
Changes school in 4th grade elementary and high school Tescott High/Grade School building at 305 N Minnesota Ave, Tescott, KS
1966
Twitter - A favorite hunting dog
1968
Graduated High School from Tescott High School "Trojans" in Tescott, KS
1968
First Car 55 Chevy Car Graduation Present
1968
Starts Auto Mechanics at Vo Tech in Salina, KS
1969
Leonard was 19 when the Woodstock music festival opened
1972
Vance and Donna Wedding
1974
Leonard was 24 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency
1982
Leonard was 32 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1998
Leonard was 48 when Google was founded
2004
Leonard was 54 when Facebook was launched
2015
Leonard was 65 when "Hamilton" opened on Broadway
2022
Leonard was 72 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2023
Vance death
2023
Visitation at Wilson's Funeral Home in Minneapolis, KS
2023
Graveside service at Franklin Cemetery in Tescott, KS buried next to his parents
2023
Passed away January 6, age 72
Tributes and memories

1 memory shared

No account needed. Have one? Sign in

How are you connected to Leonard?
Jarvis Stirn 94w

It's been 2 yrs

We miss you. You passed 2 years ago yesterday. We miss your smile and laughter. We remember you thru photos, videos and voicemail messages. We created this site for others to share their memories of you and with you. We look forward to hearing about you as long as the memories live on.

0 comments
Family and friends

Help manage Leonard's memorial

Family members and close friends can help add photos, stories and moments from Leonard's life. Ask the family to add you.

Sign in to ask
Visit
Franklin Cemetery
South of Tescott, Kansas
Get directions to the grave

Share Leonard's memorial

Invite family and friends to visit and add their own memories.