Leonard was born Oct. 20, 1933, in Carbondale, Colo.
"He entered heaven" on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, in Kalispell, as a result of congestive heart failure.
Dad was born to August and Dorothy Blanc, and would later be joined by a brother Jerry. The family spent his early childhood in various areas of western Colorado, gathering lots of life experiences.
Dad graduated from Garfield County High School in 1952, and enlisted in the Army later that year. Dad served his country for two years, and was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, during the Korean War. Dad also attended a heavy equipment school in Idaho, learning skills he would use for the rest of his life.
Dad was a jack-of-all-trades. His work experience was varied but included numerous ranching positions alongside his parents. Dad's family operated a dude ranch with outfitting in Encampment, Wyo. This is where he met Linda Bergstrom, and the two were married in 1968, in Ekalaka, Mont. They divorced 24 years later but remained friends to the end. The family continued to ranch in Wyoming and Colorado, and were blessed with a daughter Lori and son Lon. Dad worked for several road departments in Colorado. He later started his own business, Valley Gas and Welding Supply, in Glenwood Springs, Colo.
The family moved to Ekalaka in 1982, to take over Linda's family cattle ranch. We spent four great years there, and then moved to Kalispell in 1986. Dad worked in excavation, and then finished out his career delivering oxygen for American Home Medical.
Dad loved to hunt and fish, and devoted much of his retirement to fishing. Dad volunteered for the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Dad enjoyed golfing, dancing and listening to accordion music. He loved the outdoors and being close to nature.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Jerry.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori, and Jason Spaid, of Huson; and his son, Lon, and Jessie Blanc, of Kalispell. Grandchildren include Morgann and Colter Blanc of Columbia Falls, and Joseth and Joshwa McGee of Kalispell. He is also survived by a nephew and numerous cousins in Colorado.
Cremation has taken place. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at St. Richard's in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow.
Memorials are suggested to the American Legion or Knights of Columbus.
"Dad, we will always love you, and we miss you already. We will never forget all that you taught us. May you rest in peace."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leonard Blanc, please visit our flower store.
"He entered heaven" on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, in Kalispell, as a result of congestive heart failure.
Dad was born to August and Dorothy Blanc, and would later be joined by a brother Jerry. The family spent his early childhood in various areas of western Colorado, gathering lots of life experiences.
Dad graduated from Garfield County High School in 1952, and enlisted in the Army later that year. Dad served his country for two years, and was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, during the Korean War. Dad also attended a heavy equipment school in Idaho, learning skills he would use for the rest of his life.
Dad was a jack-of-all-trades. His work experience was varied but included numerous ranching positions alongside his parents. Dad's family operated a dude ranch with outfitting in Encampment, Wyo. This is where he met Linda Bergstrom, and the two were married in 1968, in Ekalaka, Mont. They divorced 24 years later but remained friends to the end. The family continued to ranch in Wyoming and Colorado, and were blessed with a daughter Lori and son Lon. Dad worked for several road departments in Colorado. He later started his own business, Valley Gas and Welding Supply, in Glenwood Springs, Colo.
The family moved to Ekalaka in 1982, to take over Linda's family cattle ranch. We spent four great years there, and then moved to Kalispell in 1986. Dad worked in excavation, and then finished out his career delivering oxygen for American Home Medical.
Dad loved to hunt and fish, and devoted much of his retirement to fishing. Dad volunteered for the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Dad enjoyed golfing, dancing and listening to accordion music. He loved the outdoors and being close to nature.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Jerry.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori, and Jason Spaid, of Huson; and his son, Lon, and Jessie Blanc, of Kalispell. Grandchildren include Morgann and Colter Blanc of Columbia Falls, and Joseth and Joshwa McGee of Kalispell. He is also survived by a nephew and numerous cousins in Colorado.
Cremation has taken place. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at St. Richard's in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow.
Memorials are suggested to the American Legion or Knights of Columbus.
"Dad, we will always love you, and we miss you already. We will never forget all that you taught us. May you rest in peace."