Leon Becktold passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 27, 2015, five days after his 82nd birthday.
He was born on January 22, 1933 in Sawyer, North Dakota to Carl and Rosa Becktold. He was one of 15 brothers and sisters. In 1950, at 17 years of age, he joined the United States Army. During his two years of service he was stationed at Cologne, Panama. When he left the service in 1952, he traveled between Oregon, North Dakota and Montana finally settling in Ferdig, Montana with his sister. In need of a job, he went to the unemployment office in Shelby, Montana where he met his wife-to-be, Eleanor who was working there.
Leon and Eleanor married on April 9, 1955 and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. The couple lived briefly in Shelby, Montana, then in Oregon and finally settled in Florence, Montana in 1956. In 1963 his daughter Sandra Lee was born. During the early years Leon worked for the railroad, Bonner Mill, Van Evans and the Concrete Pipe Co. In approximately 1969 he opened his auto repair shop, Lee’s Auto Repair, in Florence where his loyal customers and friends loved and trusted him. After his retirement, Leon and Eleanor spent their winters in Yuma, Arizona.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents and 13 of his brothers and sisters. He left behind his wife, Eleanor, Florence, MT, his daughter, Sandra, Bellevue, WA, his brother, Alvin, Salem, OR and many sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and nieces and nephews.
Leon was cremated in Yuma, Arizona. No services will be held as was his wish.