| Graduation Year | Class of 1959 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 28, 2003 |
| About | Leonard Shipper of Fargo, N.D., was born Dec. 7, 1940, to Herman and Ollie Schipper in Fairbury, Neb. He died March 28, 2003, at the home of his brother, Delven, and his wife, Jeannette, in Fairbury, at the age of 62 years, 3 months and 22 days. He grew up in Fairbury and was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Church. During this time he was active in scouting, basketball and football. He was a graduate of Fairbury High School in 1959. At the age of 16 he started his railroad career working summers during high school with the Rock Island Railroad. On March 30, 1973, he was united in marriage to Cara Smith. Three children were born to this union. He served in the Army where he was stationed in Germany. After his service in the Army, he graduated from Colorado State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in business. He continued his career as an engineer with the Rock Island Railroad. He left the Rock Island Railroad and spent the rest of his career with the Burlington Northern Railroad, where eventually became the manager of operating practices. He retired from the Burlington Northern in October 2001. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and he and Cara made annual trips to Minnesota and Canada to go fishing. He also went hunting several times in Colorado and Wyoming. Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include his wife; sons, Curt of Winslow, Ariz., and Chad and his wife, Christa, of Prairie Village.; daughter, Kim Brink and her husband, Jim, of Quincy, Ill.; sister, Velda Wagner of Fairbury; brother, Delven ……. |
