Leonard W. Gehlhar
At the age of 91, Leonard Warren Gehlhar, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, March 8, 2015 at his residence in Lakeville, MN.
Leonard’s family will greet guests on Thursday, March 12 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN and one hour prior to the service at church. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, March 13 at 10:30 am, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church 14085 Pike Lake Trail, Prior Lake. The Reverend Rance Settle will preside. Leonard will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Volunteer Rifle Squad.
On October 31, 1923, in Sandstone, MN, Leonard was born the oldest of four children to parents, Paul Samuel and Josephine (Tuchtenhagen) Gehlhar. He was baptized on November 19, 1923 in Finlayson, MN and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Villard, MN. Leonard grew up working hard on the family farms, first in Sandstone, then Villard and eventually in Wesort. He was proud of winning an award for his prize pig at the Minnesota State Fair. Leonard was a proud 1941 graduate of Villard High School.
A fascination with planes, Leonard joined the Army Corp Reserves. He took flight training in Alexandra and ventured up to Hibbing to begin flying. A dream that finally came true. Leonard entered active duty in August 1943 until May 1945. He attended college at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio and graduated from the Minnesota Business School in 1949. In 1952, Leonard reentered the Air Force and retired as a Major in 1968. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves in the 934th Airlift Wing Division and Bloomington Squadron Civil Air Patrol. Leonard was employed at Honeywell Aero Division and founded Litho Technical Services in 1960 and Custom Cover Services in 1970. He was the president of Litho Technical Services for 25 years and Custom Cover Services for 15 years, before retiring in 1987.
Leonard was a senior in high school, when he was first introduced to a beautiful young freshman, Eleanor O. Norton. Leonard poured on his charm to her over time and ultimately they fell in love. On June 25, 1946, Leonard and Eleanor were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Villard, MN. They were blessed with five children, Larry, Stephen, Lonna, Sandra and Mary. Leonard’s greatest passion was being a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa. His family always remained foremost as did his integrity and honesty. Leonard’s children saw their father devoted to his faith and looked up to him as their mentor.
Committed to his community, Leonard did volunteer work in the Bloomington Athletic Association, Boy Scouts, Exchange Club, Bethesda Thrift Shop and was a charter member of two churches. He enjoyed woodworking and carving producing beautiful birds and jewelry boxes. Leonard enjoyed the outdoors camping, fishing, golfing and walking. He liked to dance and tell a good joke.
Left to honor Leonard’s life and mourn the death is his wife of almost 69 years, Eleanor; children, Larry (Nan) Gehlhar, Stephen Gehlhar, Lonna (Rick) Possehl, Sandra (John) Barrett, Mary (Mark) Kiernan; grandchildren, Michael, Molly (Chris), Kathleen (Jason), Theresa (Tom), Jennifer, Rebecca (Travis), Jessica (Ivor), Eric (Katie), Asher, Evan, Orcellia, Alistair and Beatrice; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Owen, Aiden, Megan, Carlin, Gianna, Gavin, Keaton, and Quinn; brother, Philip (Belle) Gehlhar, Donald (Carole) Gehlhar; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Len home is his parents, Paul and Josephine; sister, Ruby (Gehlhar) and husband (Dale) Norton.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Gehlhar family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
