Leonard Waldemar

Leonard M. Waldemar, 88, passed away in Dillon, Montana on February 19 of natural causes. Leonard was born August 11, 1927 in Bannack, Montana to Leonard Franklin Waldemar and Estella Fay Dickson Waldemar. Leonard always claimed to have been born in a tent while his family was custom haying in the area. Leonard spent his childhood in the Horse Prairie and Grasshopper Valley areas. He graduated from BCHS in 1945 where he played on the 1944 state champion football team. Leonard enrolled at Montana State Normal College and played tackle for the Bulldogs before he was drafted into the Army in October of 1945. While in the army, he served as a prisoner of war camp guard. He was honorably discharged in November of 1946. He had many tales of a cross country railroad trip to transport the prisoners from Billings, Montana to New York City. In April of 1951, Leonard went to work for Vigilante Electric as a meter reader. He worked there for 38 years; working his way up to line foreman before retiring on December 31, 1989. During his time at Vigilante, many changes and advancements were made in rural electrification. Leonard had many fond memories of meals served in ranch cook homes and not so fond memories of long, cold, snowy nights.Leonard loved the outdoors; whether it was hunting, fishing, hiking or camping. A long time tradition starting in Leonard’s childhood and continuing today is an extended Waldemar family July 4th camping trip to Reservoir Lake. He spent his retirement years helping with his grandchildren and following any activity they were involved with. He could also be seen driving around town checking on his family and was the first to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Leonard is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, of 64 years. Together they had three children: Eddie (Lori), Brenda Borjas (David), Jerry Rehse (Dennis), four grandchildren: Erik Waldemar, Harley Borjas (Kimberly), Rudy Rehse (Carl Sevalstad) and Susanne Rehse (Nick Valach), and two great grand children on the way, all of Dillon. Leonard is also survived by sisters Fay McCracken of Florence, MT, June Kamps (Monty) of Hamilton, MT and sister-in-law Nancy Conley (Hank) of Hamilton, MT. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins. Services are scheduled for 1:00 pm Friday, March 4 at Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon followed by a reception at The Lion’s Den.