Richard (Dick) William Leonard was born November 28, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN to Albert Dewey and Claire Rose (Arsenault) Leonard. He was raised there and graduated from Washburn High School, class of 1945. In his teen years Dick was very athletic and excelled at competitive ice skating on the lakes in the Twin Cities. While attending the University of Minnesota, Dick was drafted into the Navy, serving as a key punch operator at Great Lakes, Illinois for two years. He returned to the University to study engineering. During that time, he developed a passion for pho-tography and opened a small studio. One day he was hired by a young lady from Mo-bridge to photograph her wedding which was being

held in the Twin Cities. The bride informed him that Mobridge needed a photog-rapher, as the previous photographer had recently passed away. That sounded adventurous to Dick, so in April of 1950 he traveled by train to Mobridge and opened Leonard Studio next to the Mobridge Auditorium on Main Street. On October 10th, 1950 while photographing the wedding of Jack and Clara Per-man in Timber Lake, SD, Dick met Loretta Schweitzer, a bridesmaid and first cousin to Clara. Following an eight-month courtship the couple married on June 11, 1951, in Berlin, ND where Loretta had been raised. They returned to Mo-bridge where they raised their family and built their business. To this union nine children were born: Bill, Mary (born prematurely, living only 36 hours, follow-ing Loretta having contracted Polio), Susan, Theresa, Cindy, Patty, Jerry, Rick and Tom. Dick was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and boating on Lake Oahe with his family. He shared his love of hunting with his sons and taught all of his children how to water ski. He also gave them a love for ice skating. He truly loved his family. Dick was active in many organizations in Mobridge, such as Couples Dance Club, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. He was a charter mem-ber of the Loyal Order of the Moose. He also served as president of the State of SD Photographer’s Association, and you’ll have to ask his family about the Ger-man Schnapps Dick made and served, a talent learned from his father-in-law. Dick loved his Catholic faith and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for over 69 years. He participated as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Choir Mem-ber, Rosary Leader, Greeter and served on the Parish Council. Dick was a fourth degree Knight and served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus for one year. He was awarded, along with his wife, the honor of being KC Family of the Year in 2003, for the state of SD. Dick was also a defender of the unborn, active-ly participating in Right to Life causes. Dick is survived by his wife Loretta of 68 years, four sons, Bill (Marie), Jerry, Rick (Jackie), Tom (Pam), four daughters, Susan (Steve) Schatz, Theresa (Steve) Schneider, Cindy (Monty) Miller, Patty (Guy) Kraft, 24 Grand-Children and 45 Great Grand-Children, one sister, Catherine Hartman of Minneapolis and numer-ous nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Jerry, sister Mary Claire, infant daughter Mary, and grandson Joshua Leonard.

D a t e o f S e r v i c e

T i m e o f S e r v i c e

November 28, 1927 ~ October 19, 2019

Richard Leonard

When I Am Gone

When I am gone release me Let me go, I have so many things to see and do

You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears Be happy that we had so many beautiful years

I gave to you my love You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness

I thank you for the love you each have shown But now it's time I travel alone

So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must Then let your grief be comforted by my trust

It's only for awhile that we must part So bless the memories within your heart

I won't be far away, for life goes on So if you need me, call and I will come

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near And if you listen within your heart you'll hear

All my love around you soft and clear And then when you must come this way alone

I'll greet you with a smile and say "Welcome Home."

IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Richard Leonard 91 Years ~ 10 Months ~ 21 Days

BORN: PASSED AWAY: November 28, 1927 October 19, 2019 Minneapolis, Minnesota Mobridge, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 26, 2019

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Mobridge, South Dakota

CLERGY: Fr. Bill Hamak~ Nephew: Fr. Gary Luiten ALTAR SERVERS:

Teddy Heil ~ Jacob Zornes

ORGANIST: Marge Mertz SOLOIST: Great Granddaughter: Audre Nilges

“I Am The Bread Of Life” CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS:

“Here I Am Lord” ~ “Prayer of St. Francis” ~ “You Are Mine” “Song Of Farewell” ~ “On Eagle’s Wings”

CASKETBEARERS: Richard’s Grandsons:

Ben Leonard ~ David Leonard ~ Joseph Schatz Michael Schatz ~ Christopher Schatz ~ Scott Schneider

Steve Schneider Jr. ~ Brandon Faehnrich ~ Bill Faehnrich Alec Leonard ~ Jack Leonard ~ Josh Leonard (In Memorium)

HONORARY BEARERS: Richard’s Granddaughters:

Beverly Leonard ~ Vanessa Theige ~ Victoria Leonard Amy Giessinger ~ Lisa Mathues ~ Amanda Tesch

Angela Miller ~ Jessica Ludeman ~ Breanna Hanssen Carolyn Smith ~ Bridget Nilges ~ Brittney Shaffer

& Richard’s Great Grandchildren HONOR GUARD: 4th Degree Knights of Columbus

MILITARY HONORS: Parker-Browder Mobridge American Legion Post #4

BURIAL: Greenwood Cemetery

Mobridge, South Dakota

Arrangements Entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home.