Leland Carle

Leland Lester Carle, 93, a lifelong resident of Stuttgart, Arkansas, passed away on January 2, 2023, at Presbyterian Village in Little Rock. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 72 years, Helen Starnes Carle. He is survived by one daughter, Leslie Carle Friedrich of Houston, Texas; one son, Timothy Carle (Terri) of Stuttgart; three grandchildren, Bradley Carle (Heathre) of Little Rock, Holly Carle of Benton and Joseph Friedrich of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren: Evan Carle, Leilah Dallas and Rebecca Smith. Leland is survived by his younger sister, Elizabeth Rabeneck of Stuttgart and many nieces, nephews and cousins with whom he discussed computers, plants and genealogy.

Leland was predeceased by his older sister, Mary Louise Newton and his older brother, Wilfred Carle.

Born to Mary Margaret Walters Carle and Elmer Gottlieb Carle on February 9, 1929, in Stuttgart, Arkansas, Leland was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from St. John’s Lutheran School and Stuttgart High School in 1947. Leland began working at Riceland Foods during his senior year in high school. In 1948 Helen Starnes moved to Stuttgart to work. He served as Riceland’s office manager and at 33 was named Secretary-Treasurer and later financial Vice President. He retired as Riceland’s Corporate Vice President of Planning and Budget in 1985.

Leland remained an active participant in Stuttgart’s civic affairs after retirement. Leland served Jesus as an active member at St John’s Lutheran Church, as elder and president of the congregation. He was a charter member of the Stuttgart Kiwanis Club, Chairman of the Stuttgart Public Library Board, member of the International Accountants’ Society and the Stuttgart Planning Commission. He served as on the board of CARTI (Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute) in Little Rock after retirement. Leland was the 2002 recipient of Rice Farming Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his business leadership and activity in civic affairs.

Leland really liked music and spent many happy hours practicing and performing. He played clarinet in the Stuttgart High School Band and saxophone in a small band that played for local dances. In his earlier years he sang tenor in the St John’s choir and was a member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. Now, we pray he is singing in the heavenly choir.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St John’s Lutheran Church, the Stuttgart Public Library or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Leland’s life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 205 E. Fifth St., Stuttgart, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, which would have been Leland’s 94 ^th birthday at 11:00 am.