Leland John Sawtell

Newcastle — Leland John Sawtell, 83, Newcastle, died Aug. 21, 2020, at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Memorial services were Aug. 29 at the Gospel Chapel, Newcastle. Covid 19 restrictions were observed with 50 percent capacity and social distancing. Services were livestreamed on the Gospel Chapel Facebook page at www. facebook.com/gospelchapelnewcastle.

Private family burial was in the Newcastle Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Mohr Funeral Home, Ponca.

Leland was born Sept. 4, 1936, in Allen, to Merlin and Ida (Armstrong) Sawtell. Leland grew up in the Allen and Newcastle area, graduating from Newcastle High School in 1954. Following high school, Leland served in the U.S. Army. He married the love of his life, Aileta Louise Nylund, July 18, 1959, at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Aileta passed away Sept. 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 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. He 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), Yutan; John Sawtell (Wendy), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sheryl Hofer (Cordell), Salem, S.D.; Beth Epp (John), Marion, S.D.; Amy Holzworth (Byron), Scottsbluff; and Craig Sawtell (Courtney), Dixon; his brother, Dale Sawtell, Seattle, Wash.; and his sister, Alta Rosenbaum, Elk Point, S.D.; 23 grandchildren and three 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.