Duane Allen Leidholt, 60, of Miles City, our beloved father and hero, died Friday, October 24th, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Dad was born to Robert and Kathryn Leidholt on March 1, 1954, a feisty late winter day-a preview of things to come. He was the third oldest of the eight Leidholt boys. He attended Sacred Heart High School where he excelled in football for four years on Dan Conner’s championship teams. He was a surprise starter as a defensive nose tackle as a sophomore at 5’10”, 125 lbs., playing against kids 40 to 60 lbs heavier. He thrived on this type of challenge. Also during high school, he worked in Buttrey Food’s produce department under store manager Pete Duncan.
After he graduated from high school in 1972, Dad continued his education at Montana State University after graduating from Miles Community College. During his time at MSU, he bought a 1966 Porsche Carrera that he fixed up and enjoyed driving home to Miles City, even in the winter, which didn’t please his mother. He put himself through college by working at Buttrey Foods and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Business.
After college, he worked as an assistant store manager at Buttrey Foods in Gillette, Wyoming. Deciding that the grocery business was not for him, he returned to Miles City in 1980. He then became a Meadow Gold route manager quickly doubling the sales for his route. While working for Meadow Gold he met his future wife, our mother, Susana Esteves. They married in 1986 and had four children; Natasha, Dustin, Derek and Savanah. Dad also had a son Dan, from a previous relationship, and together they did much hunting and fishing. Dad was a grandfather to Kenisha, Hannah, and Levi and enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
Dad started his first business, Western Gaming in 1983 with his brother Denis which they still own today. They successfully expanded this business throughout eastern Montana. Later in his career, he found another great joy when he purchased his first farm. Our maternal grandfather, Higinio Esteves, taught him how to work the land and fully reap the harvest. Dad became an excellent productive and award winning farmer, taking blue ribbons at the fair anytime his sweet corn was entered. He was helped on the farm by his uncles; Adolph, Eugene, and Jimmy.
In addition, Dad found great enjoyment in ranching. Though he was a first generation cattle rancher, his cattle were highly prized at auction. He took great pride in the quality of the herd he was able to breed after only a decade of ranching. Dad’s success on his farm, ranch, and other business enterprises, was heavily due to all of those business associates who, in the long-term became good friends, and helped him along the way.
Very dedicated and obsessive about anything in which he was involved, fishing was the great passion of Dad’s life. He spent most of his free time on the water. His fondest fishing memory was when he caught a World and Montana record-breaking Saugeye. This award-winning fish weighed 12 lbs, 7 oz and was granted “The All-Tackle and 6 lb Line Class World Record” for the Saugeye by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988. That was followed by a Montana record-breaking Walleye caught February 24, 1989, weighing 14 lbs, 4 oz. He especially enjoyed fishing with his family, taking trips to his Fort Peck cabin on Hell Creek Reservoir. He also enjoyed elk and deer hunting with his three boys. Being outdoors gave Dad much comfort and he continued to enjoy the outdoors even shortly before his death.
Dad had been in poor health for the last few years and although he and our mom were no longer together they continued to care about each other. Susana, our amazing mother, cared for him through his illness, especially in the last months of his life.
He is survived by his mother, Kathryn Leidholt, of Miles City; his ex-wife, Susana Leidholt of Miles City; his children, Dan Melanson of Hulett, WY, Natasha, Dustin, Derek and Savanah all of Miles City; his grandchildren, Kenisha, Hannah, and Levi all of Hullett, WY; his brothers, Deane of Aiea, HI, Dione of Yuma, AZ, Denis, Darvin, Dan, Doug and Daren, all of Miles City. He is also survived by his childhood friend and trusted long-time business associate, Mike Sturtz. He is survived by numerous beloved aunts and uncles on both his, and Susana’s, side of the family. Duane was preceded in death by his father, Robert Leidholt.
The following bible verse is comforting to his family: Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle in spirit and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Dad, you will be dearly missed every day. We love you so much. We are so proud of you. Rest in Peace. We will be together again.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a Rosary and Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday October 31, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Friday October 31, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Audrey and Greg family says
Sending hugs and prays to all of yous if there’s anything we can do let us know
Blackie & Carol Schneider says
Leidholt Family:
We send you our deepest and sincere sympathy. May you find comfort in the fond memories you shared with Duane. He was a wonderful Boss and friend and I enjoyed his company. May he rest in peace without pain and suffering. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
God Bless
Aunt Jessie and Uncle Jimmy says
Thinking of all of you and wishing that we could lift your sorrow. Duane was a special person in our lives. Jimmy so enjoyed remembering the happy times working corn harvest with Duane, Adolph and Eugene. Hard work but great fun. I remember a cute little boy who held my wedding ring so many years ago. Love you all.
jerry&susan says
I’m so sorry to here about Duane
All of you will be in our thoughts and prayer’s
God Bess
Larry and Leona Dann says
So very sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything you need please call.
Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Larry & Denise Sweet says
So sorry about your loss. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers during this loss.
Chris Meidinger says
so sorry to hear about the loss of Duane to your entire family. I’m sure he’ll be watching over you for the rest of your lives. I’ll pray for all of you guys!!
Della Ahearn says
Sorry for your lost,Duane is in a better place,smiling down on,You all are in my thoughts and prayers .
God Bless
TJ and Tana Kiel says
We are sorry to hear of your loss of Duane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
barbieann todoroff says
So sorry to hear of Duane passing, he was a great friend of the family for many years. Rest In Peace
Ken Minow says
Very sorry to hear about Duane’s passing.Condolences to the entire family from Ken and Jim from the KM Repair guys.Godspeed my friend.
Dave Grauman says
So sorry to learn of your loss. Enjoyed working with Duane at Meadow Gold.
Gina Mader says
I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kyla Kennedy says
Leidholt Family I as so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.
Jean Jones says
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Duane. Our family is praying for you all.
Jim, Jean and children
Michelle Kuper says
Leidholt Family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cindy, Kelly and Kelcy Conley says
So sorry to hear of Duane’s passing…Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ron & Connie Watts says
So sorry to hear about Duane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless.
Mary and Tim Hurr says
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
darlene russell says
So sorry to hear about Duane, family prayers are with the entire family, of course Duane was one of my favorite people, always so friendly and caring.
Vicky Johnsgard Strom says
I am sorry to hear of Duane’s passing. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Debbie ( EMMIL ) Herold says
Our thought’s and prayers are with you . May the fond memories of Duane help comfort you at this difficult time. God bless.
Toni Lathrop Canady says
Leidholt Family my heart breaks for all of you! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Merry and Armando DeAnda says
Dear Leidholt Family: We send you our deepest and sincere sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless your family during this difficult time.
Ken and Vicki Hess says
Sorry to hear about Duane. Will miss him and his sense of humor. Wishing all of you the best. May God bless each one of you.
Woitkielewicz family says
We are sorry to hear about Duane he was a great man our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
What a beautiful obituary. Duane will be missed, but he has left a wonderful legacy in his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful man and cousin. I will miss him.
John & Penny Shevlin says
John and Duane worked together for many years at Buttreys! We have many fond memories of those times. Thoughts and prayers to Duane’s family and friends.
Jane Kaderis says
Duane was a man that marched to the beat of his own drum. I enjoyed his quick wit and easy bantering. He was always ready with a joke or story and whenever I saw him, he was wearing that mischievous grin. He will be missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. You are all in my prayers.
Michael and Joelyne Rogers says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this great loss.
Kevin, Sheila, Chance, Lesslie, & Kimber Krausz says
We were saddened to hear of Duane passing away. May you find comfort in your memories of him. God bless. Kevin, Sheila, Chance, Lesslie, & Kimber Krausz
DAN DINARDI says
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. DUANE AND I WERE GOOD FRIENDS, CHOPPED A LITTLE CORN
TOGETHER, FISHED TOGETHER,HAD A BEER TOGETHER,AND A GOOD TIME. BUT I NEVER
CAUGHT AS MANY BIG FISH AS HE DID. REST IN PEACE
DAN DINARDI BILLINGS MT
Dan, Jean and Ryan Doran says
So, sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. May God Bless you. Dan and Jean.
Mitch and Laurie Cadlo says
We are so sorry to hear of Duane’s passing. I have many memories of Duane and the other Leidholt family members during my Sacred Heart years. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Mitch and Laurie
Keith and Barb Hoover says
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in Our Lord and Savior
Diane Connors Rewerts says
On behalf of the Connors family, condolences. Dad was fond of the Leidholt boys and proud of their accomplishments.
James L. Arneson says
I am sorry to hear about the loss of Duane. May God watch over and comfort your family now and always.
Carol LaRose Schuetzle says
Leidholt Family were so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and friends of Duane.
Big ((Hugs)) and love to all.
Warren and Carol Schuetzle
Kim Stanton says
Dear Leidholt Families,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your beloved Dad and brother. His obituary is such a loving tribute to a man who will be missed greatly. We are keeping you all close in thought and prayer as you celebrate his life, and yet grieve his loss. May the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, bring you all peace and consolation.
With loving sympathy,
Dan, Kim, Kasey, and Kyle Stanton
Karen Stephens says
I am sorry to hear about the loss of Duane. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
B & C OIL COMPANY says
Our sincere sympathy to all of Duane’s family from all of us at B & C Oil Co. It was a
pleasure doing business with him over the years!
Bill, Patsy, Roger, Ryan, Phil
Lynn Holom Harper says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
clara jo (Arneson) Sikveland says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Leidholt Family,
So sorry to hear about Duane. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Garth Sleight says
The Leidholts are a large and tight-knit family with an exemplary work ethic. I know Duane’s passing leaves a big hole in many, many hearts. My sincere condolences go out to all of you.
Jim Wayland says
To all the Leidholt family….. I am so sorry to hear of Duane’s passing. I thought the world of him. We had a lot of good times together. Be strong. My prayers are with you all.
Ray and Karen Pellant says
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Joanne Cowles says
Please accept my deep sympathy for your loss to both family and friends of Duane Leidholt.
I took note of the scripture mentioned in his obituary of Jesus’s words at Matthew 11 where he said “learn from me”. One of the most heart warming things we can learn from Jesus’s time on the earth was demonstrating his ability and his desire to bring back to life those who died. The Bible gives 9 accounts to be exact. It’s one of the wonderful promises that will be fulfilled under the kingdom rule over the earth we were told to pray for in the Our Father Prayer. Then, also Revelation 21:3,4 and Psalm 37:29 will see fulfillment as the “former things” of death, mourning and pain will be “done away with” and the” meek will inherit the earth.” Until that time may reading these verses in your Bible be of comfort to you as you have the hope of seeing your dear one return to life on earth as God originally purposed.
Chuck Schott says
The class of “72” looses another great guy in Duane, he had a great sense of humor and one of the best and hardiest laughs of anyone in the class. My deepest condolences to the family and my old buddy Mike, I’m sure Duane has a left warm spot in your hearts that will be there for the rest of your days. He was a great and careing guy from all I recall so that’s how he will be remembered.
RIP old friend
Chuck
Sally Daugherty says
Denis and family, we are so sorry to hear about Duane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sally & Larry Daugherty