He attended a rural country school, and after attending two years of high school, he began his farming career with his father. In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force for four years with the 3520th Field Maintenance Squadrons as an Aircraft Electrician. He later received his GED. In 1954 on a blind date, he met the love of his life at Pla-Mor Ballroom. Leland and Carol (Stewart) were married on March 20th, 1955. They were married for 69 years, many of those years they work together side-by-side on the family farm. To this union three daughters were born Lynne, Kathleen, and Amy.
Leland was a lifetime farmer of the Saunders County area, Grace Lutheran Church where he served on various church boards and the Ceresco Legion Post 244. During the winter months, Leland enjoyed woodworking projects around their home. During the Holidays he was known for his homemade peanut brittle. After moving to Fallbrook Assisted Living, Leland took on a new hobby of putting together jigsaw puzzles. Leland and Carol love to travel visiting many beautiful places, they later took up camping and enjoyed many weekends at campsites. All their travels brought them many new friends over the years. In 2010 they moved off the farm where they became residents of Lincoln, Nebraska during this time, Leland enjoyed weekly trips out to the farm and a cup of coffee with fellow farmers at the Co-Op in Ceresco.
Leland is survived by his three daughters Lynne(Greg) Hahn, Kathleen (late Peter) Minicz, Amy(Steve) Stanek; grandchildren, Tracy(Mark) Von Busch, Maggie(Devin) Kellogg, Cody Hahn, Julianne (Chris) Fant, Jacob Minicz, Allen (Sheila) Stanek, Alyssa (Connor) Zumpfe, Andrew (Alyssa) Stanek; great grandchildren, Xavier, Zaden, Brielle, Brock Von Busch of Lincoln, Emery Kellogg of Lincoln, Aaliyah, Christopher Jr, Addison Fant of Omaha, Rylee, Jordyn, Nora Stanek of Valparaiso, Brenli, Breckyn Zumpfe of Rock Springs Wy, Lennon Stanek of Ceresco; brother, Loren(Naomi) Swanson of Wahoo and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by wife Carol Swanson, son-in-law, Peter Minicz, parents, Emor and Bernice Swanson, sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Harold Heyen, and nephew Mark Swanson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday November 24th from 4-6pm at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 No. 27th St., Lincoln Nebraska. Burial at later date with family.
Memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, rural Swedeburg or Ceresco Legion Post 244.