Scott Russell Leisy

Graveside services for Scott Leisy, 34, of Atkinson were held Thursday, April 9, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

A celebration of life service is being planned for a later date.

Leisy died April 6, at his home, near Atkinson.

Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson is in charge of arrangements.

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Scott Russell Leisy was born Oct. 28, 1985, in Sidney to Lisa (Sterling) Lamb.

He was adopted by Darrel and Wilda Leisy at four months old, and he always felt the utmost gratitude to his birth mother for placing him with forever parents who loved and supported him unconditionally.

Scott attended Atkinson elementary school and graduated from West Holt High School in 2004. He attended Dana College in Blair, where he majored in K-12 physical education and minored in broadcasting.

For three years he played for the Dana Vikings basketball team and spent one year as a student assistant coach. He was forever grateful to Coach Chris Fear for stating his coaching career. Leisy graduated from Dana in 2008.

In July of the same year, Scott married Mary Hendricks. They started their life in Dorchester, where Scott taught and coached while Mary finished school. They then moved to Thedford and spent the next five years there. He was honored and proud to qualify teams to the Nebraska School Activities Association Girls State Basketball Championship tournament twice during his time coaching the Sandhills-Thedford Lady Knights.

Scott's greatest joy during the time in Thedford, however, was the birth of two children, Hayden Russell in 2012 and Baylor Marie in 2014.

Over the next few years, the family moved from Thedford to O'Neill and then to McCook and encountered many joys in their schools, churches and community; qualifying girls' golf teams for state titles, and welcoming their youngest daughter, Jordyn Lee, into the world in 2016.

In 2017, the family landed back home, sharing their life between Clearwater, O'Neill and the ranch.

Scott renewed involvement in broadcasting for KBRX and officiating while teaching in Clearwater, where Mary also presently teaches. The couple has said many times since that move, that God knew they would need to be home for the challenges that were ahead.

In February 2018, Scott was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. His infectious positivity, solid faith in the Lord and love for his family and friends were his source of strength throughout his cancer battle. His mantra became "win the day" and he considered every day a winning day.

Scott won his battle against cancer April 6.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Hayden, 8, Baylor, 6, and Jordyn, 3; parents, Darrell and Wilda Leisy; and dearly loved in-laws, Rick and Nancy Hendricks, all of Atkinson; sister, Jenny Leisy of Atkinson; brother-in-law, Tim (Kim) Hendricks of Wahoo; grandmothers, Rita Muhm of Alliance and Della Schwindt of Salina, Kansas; five nieces and nephews and countless students, players and friends.