Daniel Howard Leitko was born near Dime Box, Texas on April 28, 1937, the youngest of the 15 children of Robert and Esther Leitko. His childhood friends growing up were, in most cases, also his nephews including Newman Rankin, Curtis and Donnie Leitko. While still young, the Leitkos, still living with Robert and Esther, moved from the Kucerek farm to a house Robert built on a hill closer to Dime Box.
Daniel attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Old Dime Box, where Daniel was baptized and completed confirmation. Daniel’s early life in the large family included watching many of his brothers and brothers in law go to Europe, Africa, and the Philippines during World War II in new shoes and new clothes happy to have left the farm and farm chores. By the time Daniel was old enough to contribute, most of the farming for the Leitkos was over. As he grew up, Daniel worked with his dad doing odd jobs, including working at the cotton gin in Dime Box.
Daniel attended school in Dime Box, completing his education in the 11th grade to then start working with his brothers finishing sheetrock. Work brought him to Houston, where he lived with his oldest brother, Elden.
On August 16, 1958, Daniel married Janice Joyce Fick, whom he had met at a birthday party in Loebau. They were married in St. Martin Lutheran Church in Giddings, Texas. In 1962, while living and working with his brothers Ed and Bob in Columbus, Ohio, Dan and Joyce welcomed Marcia Denise Leitko into their family. After moving back to Houston, in 1964, Scott Eric Leitko was added to the group.
Dan and Joyce were heavily involved members of the newly planted Concordia Lutheran Church in Spring Branch, attending with his brother Andrew, as well as familiar names and faces from Lee County. Daniel sang in the choir, served as an elder and was, at one point, the president of the congregation. It was at Concordia that Daniel met, conversed, and shared time with who became his best and closest friends.
Daniel’s life was devoted to his family and his church, his most cherished vocations. He and Joyce attended countless baseball, basketball, football, and track events, rarely missing a game. His immediate family has grown to 20, and he most loved being in the company of all of them, wherever they collected. He loved to fish, make bar-b-que, or play dominoes, especially for and with his family and friends at home and at church.
Those that will miss him most, his surviving family, include his wife of 65+ years, Joyce; children, Marcy and Rod Leonhardt, Scott and Kellie Leitko; grandchildren, Rodney and Amanda Leonhardt, Zak and Breanna Leonhardt, Jeremy and Liza Leonhardt, Collin Leitko and Amie Leitko; great grandchildren, Becca, Audrey, Trey, Marlee, Demi, Delanie and JJ.
Pall bearers are Rodney Leonhardt, Jr., Zakary Leonhardt, Jeremy Leonhardt, Collin Leitko, Amie Leitko and Barry Leitko.
Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 22, 2024 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1353 Witte Rd, Houston, TX 77055. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM. A reception is to follow in the church gymnasium. Graveside and burial will be held privately.
