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The Genealogy of the Ruzicka and Manchak Families

Marian E. LEONARD

Marian E. LEONARD

Female 1923 - 2000  (77 years)


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Marian E. LEONARD  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Birth 1923 
    Gender Female 
    Death 2000  [2, 5
    Burial 2000  National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona/Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Person ID I1428  Rivera Family Tree
    Last Modified 2 Sep 2025 

    Family Richard Henry SYKORA,   b. 25 Jun 1923, Vinita, Craig, Oklahoma, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Sep 2013, Peoria, Maricopa, Arizona, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 90 years) 
    Marriage 14 Sep 1946  Holy Name Catholic Church/Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 6, 7
    Children 
    +1. Lenni Kathleen SYKORA
    >2. Kenneth Richard SYKORA
    >3. Dennis Richard SYKORA
    >4. Penni Suzanne SYKORA
    Family ID F482  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 2 Sep 2025 

  • Sources 
    1. [S79] GRIEGO, Lenni, Email of 21 Feb 2007.
      My Dad and Mom Marian ...

    2. [S936] National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA), Grave Markers.
      SYKORA
      RICHARD H
      SGT USAAF
      WORLD WAR II
      1923 2013
      MARIAN E
      1923 2000
      FOREVER
      IN OUR
      HEARTS

    3. [S937] Obituary of Richard Henry SYKORA, (Name: Arizona Republic; Location: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA; Date: 15 Sep 2013;).
      Sykora, Richard Henry
      June 25, 1923 - September 9, 2013. Richard Henry Sykora, 90, passed away on Monday, September 9th in Peoria, Arizona. He was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on June 25, 1923 to parents Amelia Ruzicka Sykora of Moravia and Richard Sykora of Vienna, Austria. Dick was proud to be a first generation American. The family moved from Oklahoma to Omaha when Dick was a young boy. He attended school there, graduating from South High in June of 1942, just as the United States entered World War II. Dick served his country with great pride in the United States Army 8th Air Force Division while stationed in Peterborough, England. His specialty was servicing the radar equipment on the bombers that flew over Europe. Three days after returning from the war to Omaha in December, 1945, he met his future wife, Marian Leonard, while ice-skating at AkSarBen. Married September 14, 1946 at Holy Name Church, they began their lives together for the next fifty-four years, while raising their four children. As the Manager of the Industrial Development Department at the Omaha Public Power District, Dick's career focused on public relations encouraging commercial businesses to relocate to the greater Omaha area. He wore a suit to OPPD every day, but his passion was working with his hands. He built the family home on Spaulding Street. He assembled a replica of a 1936 Cadillac. He built play houses, doll houses, box race cars and toys for his children and grandchildren. He loved everything mechanical; his basement was a sophisticated display of tools and saws, and his gifted use of them showcased what a talented and creative man he was. Dick's other passion was boating. He and Marian owned five boats, the smaller ones used for skiing on Carter Lake, and larger cabin cruisers docked on the Missouri River. Their social lives centered around boating and their boating friends. Upon retirement in 1987, Dick and Marian followed their children to Phoenix, Arizona, which allowed them the joy of more time with children and their six grandchildren. In Phoenix, Dick continued his woodworking, jewelry making and painting. He was able to reconnect with friends in Sun City from his childhood. Dick was a man of quiet dignity, yet, he would never miss an opportunity to tell a good joke at family gatherings. Dick is preceded in death by his wife, Marian. He is survived by Gloria Welch, his beloved companion for the past 12 years; his daughter Lenni (Bob) Griego, Ken (Toni), Dennis (Savana), Penni (Don) Klick; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and older sister, Lilyan Chilese of Omaha, Nebraska. A private family celebration of Dick's life will be held in December. Internment at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Contributions in Dick's memory may be made to the Arizona Women's Board in support of kidney health at www.authorsluncheonaz.org or AWB 5921 East Indian Bend Road Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253

    4. [S940] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current.
      Name: Richard H. Sykora
      Gender: Male
      Residence Date: Abt 1946
      Residence Place: Bruno
      Marriage Date: Abt 1946
      Marriage Place: OMAHA, Nebraska, USA
      Parents: Richard Sykora
      Spouse: Marian Leonard

    5. [S79] GRIEGO, Lenni, Email of 21-Feb-07.
      My Mom died in 2000 ...

    6. [S79] GRIEGO, Lenni, Email of 21 Feb 2007.
      ... married September 14, 1946.

    7. [S938] Nebraska, U.S., Index to Marriages, 1909-1955.
      Name: Richard H Sykora
      Marriage Date: 1946
      Marriage Place: Douglas, Nebraska, USA
      Certificate Number: 6077


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