G. Leslie Schroeder, 85, of Sterling, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Dec. 3, 2010, in Sterling. Visitation was  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Chaney-Reager, with Ammon Weber officiating. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery.

Leslie was born Nov. 5, 1925, in Kimball, Neb., to George and Gwendolyn (Wilman) Schroeder. He grew up south of Kimball on a farm and ranch. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1943.

He spent some time in Caldwell, Idaho, where he worked for Swift and Company. While there, he met Grace Ireland, whom he married on April 7, 1947, in Bridgeport, Neb. They were married for 63 years. They lived in Kimball until 1949, when they moved to Sterling.

In 1954, he went to work on construction for A.R. Sally and Company when they built the Yenter Gas Plant, working as an operator. In 1973, he was transferred to Tyrone, Okla., where he was supervisor of a gas plant. After seven and a half years, he was transferred back to Sterling.

He retired in 1986 after 32 years of work in the gas plant business. He did some farming and ranching on the side for most of his life.

Leslie was a member of BOP Elks Lodge No. 1336 and Sterling Lions Club. He did square dancing for exercise and social gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Schroeder of Sterling; daughters, Colleen Tiffany and husband Bob of Indianapolis, Charlene Herbert of El Dorado, Kan., Grace Honstead and husband Lynn of Sterling, Denice Byczkowski and husband John of Sterling; son, George Schroeder of Nampa, Idaho; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and a son-in-law, James W. Herbert.