Leah Mae Serck was born Feb. 27, 1934, to William Fredrick and Etta Margaret (Reimers) Serck in O’Neill. She passed away Feb. 19, 2024, at the age of 89 in Seward.
Leah was baptized as an infant and confirmed in her faith in 1947 at the Lutheran Church in Chambers. She graduated from O’Neill High School in 1951. Leah taught in rural schools for four years directly out of high school. She then attended Concordia Teachers College and earned her B.S. of Education.
After completing her degree in 1958, Leah took a call to be the kindergarten teacher at Redeemer Lutheran School in Denver, Colorado. While serving there, Leah earned her M.S. in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Colorado in Greeley. In 1971, Leah returned to Seward to become an early childhood professor and later the early childhood program director. In 1981, she also earned her doctorate degree from the University of North Texas. During her time at Concordia, Leah served on many committees and as academic advisor to innumerable students. She retired in 2015 after 45 years of service.
Leah was an active member of LEA (Lutheran Educators Association) and led many workshops for Lutheran teachers across the country including her “Taste and See that the Lord is Good” workshop. In 1995, Leah was the recipient of LEA’s prestigious Christus Magister Award (Master Teacher).
Another lifelong passion of Leah’s was children’s literature and helping children to build a love for reading. She was an active member of Concordia’s Plum Creek Literacy Festival committee, was instrumental in bringing book fairs to campus and in helping to select children’s books to receive the Golden Sower Award Nominee status.
Leah loved her Lord, her family, friends and teaching. Of this there is no doubt! She dedicated her life to preparing and equipping young teachers to be passionate, professional, caring and Christ-centered educators of young children. Her earthly life has ended, but her influence is far reaching and will continue on through the many committed teachers that she has invested in and mentored throughout her lifetime.
Leah is survived by her nieces, Pat Barnes and Kerry (Ron Navarro) Thomas; her great-niece, Kristen Thomas; and great-nephew, Erik Thomas. She also leaves behind her adopted Seward family, Bill and Judy Pruess and Thad, DeAnn, Collin and Joyah Warren. Other surviving relatives include Mark and Judy Ripke. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters and her brother.
Visitation is Saturday, March 2, from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with the funeral service to follow at 10:30. A private committal will take place at the Chambers Cemetery in Chambers. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of Concordia University for Early Childhood Education, the Concordia University Plum Creek Literacy Foundation or the donor's choice. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
