Lawrence "Larry" Leonhart

lawrence
Lawrence Winfield (Larry) Leonhart, 76, Fargo, North Dakota died on October 2, 2016 in his home with the assistance of Hospice of the Red River Valley, surrounded by his family and friends. Larry was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 25, 1940 to Joseph B. and Frances Genevieve (O’Meara) Leonhart.  Larry attended St. Luke’s grade school and graduated from Cretin High School in 1957.  Larry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1957 and traveled the world until he was honorably discharged in 1968.  Larry was stationed in Italy, Japan, Okinawa and several additional bases in the United States, he also served 13 month tour of duty in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Larry married Katherine (Kay) Schmokel whom he had known for 17 years before they married on November 6, 1965.  Larry and Kay resided in New River, North Carolina, St. Paul, Minnesota and Fargo, ND where he started his career in sales for Vincent Brass and Aluminum Company and later started his own company. Larry retired after 20 years and following a short retirement he went to work for Kroger for 15 years. Larry attended college at the University of Arizona while stationed in Yuma, University of Minnesota, and Moorhead State University where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Larry was a member of many local and national social and conservation organizations including Fargo American Legion Gilbert C. Grafton Post 2, Fargo Disabled American Veterans, West Fargo Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Rocky Mountain Elk Federation. Larry was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins and the NDSU Bison Football Team. Larry loved traveling in his home state of Minnesota, North Dakota, as well as any western lands having dirt roads with a destination to nowhere, in search of any adventure.  Larry was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman enjoying countless experiences with family and friends, especially at the “little shack on the prairie” in Goodrich, North Dakota where countless tales were spun at the kitchen table. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Kay, his children, Michael, Mary (Brett) Miller, West Fargo, John, Anne and Joseph (Laurie) Leonhart of Fargo, North Dakota.  Grandchildren, Rachel and Danny Krein, Justice Johnson, Tehryn (Alex) VanSickle, Mason Leonhart, and Jack and Ruby Leonhart.  Sisters Gayle Schmokel and Eileen Sievert, brother-in-Law Donald Longhenry, sisters-in-law Marilyn Leonhart and Jeanne Young, his many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and great-grandnieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas (Betty) and Charles Leonhart,  sisters Lois (Jim) Remington, Phyllis (William) Peterson,  and Irene Longhenry,   brothers-in-law John (Alvena) Schmokel, Claude Schmokel, Leo Sievert, and sister-in-law Clare (Timothy) King Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 6 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo.  Visitation will continue from 12:00 to 1:00 PM followed by the memorial Mass at 1:00 PM Friday, October 7 at Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the DAV, West Fargo VFW Post 7564, Shanley High School Trapshooting Team, or CHARISM (Community Homes and Resources in Service to Many) of Fargo. The burial will be on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 12:00 PM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. The Leonhart family wish to thank the Veterans Administration staff of Fargo and Hospice of the Red River Valley for all the loving care and assistance they gave to Larry and the rest of us.

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  1. To the Leonhart family~We are very sorry to hear about Lar passing away. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

    John and Laney Wilson
    Xoxo

  2. I was very sorry to see Lawerence passing. I am happy that he is no longer suffering but understand the sorrow the loss leaves your family. It was my pleasure to be his nurse for many years. I enjoyed every visit I had with Lawerence and I will miss his smile and our laughs together. Lori

  3. To the whole Leonhart family-we are sorry that you have lost such an amazing husband, father & grandfather!!!! If there’s anything we can do to help during this difficult time please don’t hesitate to ask!

  4. Kay and family,
    Saddened to read of Larry’s passing. I remember many good stories and conversations in Community Homes’ office. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of transition.

  5. Kay and Family,
    We want to express our deepest sympathy for you in this time of great loss of your loved one, Larry. Deep down we know the unimaginable joy that is Larry’s today and hopefully someday soon you can actually rejoice in that belief. Right now we still feel our pain and our loss, wishing life could have some how gone on without any complications and suffering. We know some of your loss as we are still grieving the sudden loss of Patty’s Mother in late June. After 50 years of being together it will be hard, and at first lonely, to be just you. We have to keep recalling all of the good times that we shared with our loved one and keep reminding ourselves of the pure peace and joy that they are now experiencing and know that we truly would not want to take one second of that away from them. Ours is not to reason when or why, but to accept God’s timing and patiently wait for his healing love to engulf and renew us.
    Our love and Prayers,
    Patty and Bruce Senger

  6. Larry was a wonderful, remarkable man in many ways. I knew him at the VA, where I was his arthritis doctor for many years. He had very severe rheumatoid arthritis, yet I always looked forward to seeing him because of his positive attitude and complete lack of self pity .He was determined, honest, witty and fun. He did everything in his power to make the arthritis better, but never let it run his life or define him. Tough and joyful simultaneously. I missed him after I retired, and can only imagine how he is missed by family and friends. My deepest sympathy. Rest in peace, friend.


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