Cloudy, 31° F
(Apr. 27, 2009)
Surrounded by loved ones, Charles Henry “Chuck” Leonhardt, age 69, of Cowley died on April 27 in Billings from complications following a recent heart attack.
Born in Gering, Neb. on April 3, 1940, Chuck attended elementary and high school in Gering. He enjoyed sports and excelled in football. He was active in 4-H and showed swine, sheep and calves. He remained active in his support of 4-H throughout his life. Chuck married Barbara Joyce “Bobi Jo” Welch on July 17, 1964 in Cowley.
Chuck and Bobi Jo spent their lives farming and ranching. They farmed in Gering, Neb., Emblem, Worland and Fromberg, Mont. before settling in Cowley, where they raised their family and multiple crops and livestock. When he was not working, Chuck loved to work with his hands, and he enjoyed art, racing cars, boating, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. He was a loyal friend, father and protector. He loved his family and adored his wife and best friend, Bobi Jo.Together they ran their farm and ranch operation and were rarely separated.
Chuck took pride in working hard. He spent 15 hours on his tractor the day before he suffered a massive heart attack on April 17. He spent his last week at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.
Chuck is survived by Bobi Jo, his wife of 44 years, of Cowley; five children, Natalie Jones (Zane) of Parker, Colo., Charles Leonhardt (Laura) of Cowley, Jack Leonhardt (Amyntas) of Laramie, Kathleen Jolley (Gary) of Sidney, Mont. and Heather Baker (Andy) of Powell; and 21 grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Viola Leona Loose Leonhardt of Lovell and his siblings Larry Leonhardt (Betty) of Cowley, Mary Ann Hanny (Frank) of Gering and Sharon McDougal (Alex) of Red Lodge.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Henry Leonhardt Jr.
Funeral Services were held last Friday, May 1, with burial in the Cowley Cemetery.
