Harvey J. Leners Obituary (1945 - 2021)

Harvey Leners, 76 years of age, of Omaha passed away at his home Thursday evening, August 26, 2021. Born July 5,1945 in Beatrice, NE. Harvey grew up in a farmhouse just outside of Filley, NE. He attended grade school and high school, graduating, and continuing on to Lincoln School of Commerce where he studied to be a court stenographer. Harvey met JoAnn through mutual friends. The romance blossomed and 6 months later were married on Dec. 30th 1967. Harvey then was offered a job in Des Moines with Hawkeye Security Insurance which led to the big move to Iowa. The two settled in the town of Grimes where they built a house and then welcomed a son (Brian) in 1970. Harvey attended the American Institute of Business and Drake University while working in Des Moines. He also started to immerse himself into community service with the Iowa Jaycees, where he eventually ran up the ranks and ran for State President twice. While his time in Iowa, Harvey made many life-long friends and great stories came from this time in his life! In 1981 Harvey and Jo Ann decided to purchase a restaurant in Grimes and owned that for about 7 years. With the restaurant came a large garage that started one of his greatest passions in his life -CARS!!! He filled that garage with antiques, (projects for the future), and this continued throughout the rest of his life. 1987 brought about big changes including a job change and a move back home-to Nebraska! They first landed in Elkhorn but ended up settling in Millard where Harvey built a big enough house and garage that could house his collection of cars and antiques over the years. Harvey and JoAnn were very active in many different car clubs but were currently active members of The Cornhusker Corvette Club in Omaha which they have built many friends with the same love for Vettes. Interests included collecting typewriters, Radios of the tube era, stamps, miniature car models, trains, and did I mention cars, cars, and more cars. We will all miss his love for his family, and the cars that he loved collecting and restoring. And his go to goodbye, "Come back when you can't stay so long". Harvey was proceeded in death by parents John and Dora Leners; brother -in-law Victor Woltemath and niece Robin Woltemath. Survives include wife JoAnn; son Brian (Renee) grandsons; Zachary and Jeremy; brother, Marvin (Carol), niece Stacy (Eric Goman), and sister-in-law, Juanita Woltemath, nieces Linda (Richard) Hovendick, Kathy (Dave) Harlow, Rebecca (Dave) Sherman, several great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Salem United Church of Christ with Reverend Ken Tubbesing and Reverend Eric Biehl officiating. The service will be Livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Interment in the church cemetery. Family prayer service will be at 10:45 AM Thursday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. Celebration of Life Reception will be held 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Divine Shephard Lutheran Church, 15005 Q Street in Omaha. Sign Harvey's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.