Leonard A. Appelhanz

Leonard A. Appelhanz, 94, of Topeka, passed away peacefully, on June 6, 2024.

He was born on May 20, 1930, to Jacob and Barbara (Hefner) Appelhanz in Topeka, KS. He was the eighth of nine children.

Leonard grew up during the Great Depression and like many others, worked as a child doing odd jobs to help support the family. He fondly remembered later in life that the family “didn’t have a lot growing up, but they always had something to eat and a place to sleep.”

On June 1, 1953, he married Mary Smith at Holy Name Church. Leonard and Mary lived in Topeka their entire lives, enjoying 71 years of marriage.

During his working career, he worked for Safeway Co., as a meat cutter. He was later employed by Falley’s Co., working at the locker plant and various stores as a meat cutter, retiring in 1985. Upon retirement, Leonard and Mary traveled across the United States on numerous sight-seeing trips. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. For many years, he sold the produce he’d grown at the Downtown Farmer’s Market and later out of his garage, claiming he “never made any money.” He was also known as the “Tomato Man.”

He was proceeded in death by his parents; six brothers, Paul, Ralph, Raymond, Adam, Theodore, Isadore; and sisters, Mary Catherine Allen and Eva Berwett.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife, Mary; five children and their spouses, Catherine (Randy) Pritchard of Meriden, Connie (Danny) Pritchard of Topeka, Christopher (Barbie) Appelhanz of Topeka, Carrie (Rodney) Roberson of Silver Lake, and Charles (Tracy) Appelhanz of Topeka. Other survivors include 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, several step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren.

Leonard will lie in state from 5-7:00 P.M., with a rosary at 6:30 P.M., on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday, June 13, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made in Leonard’s memory to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17^th St., Topeka, KS 66604. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.