Jean Leidholt, age 88, of Miles City passed away on Sunday July 10 at 2:30 A.M. at the Holy Rosary Extended Care with her daughter by her side.
Jean will be remembered for her smile which could light up a room, her determination, her take charge attitude and her generosity.
Jean was born on August 2, 1927 in the Darcy Hospital in Miles City. She was the daughter of Roscoe and Ella Decker. She grew up on a ranch in Stacey, Montana. Jean attended South Stacey School. She rode her horse, Buck to school every day. Jean stayed with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Mary Decker while she attended high school in Miles City. Jean worked very hard on her coursework while she was in high school. Jean graduated from Custer County District School in 1945. Jean wanted to go to college but her family did not have enough money to send her to college. At that time, there was a shortage of nurses because of World War II and Nursing school was free. Jean and several of her friends decided to go to Nursing School in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Jean did not like nursing school and being the leader that she always was when she left nursing school several of her friends followed her. Jean went back to the ranch for several months. Then she moved to Miles City and started working for Mountain Bell Telephone Company. Jean worked for Mountain Bell for 32 years. Jean would have stayed there until she retired but the Miles City office closed. During her years with Mountain Bell Jean started as a telephone operator and when the office closed she was a manager. Jean also worked for the ASCS office, the Water Rights office and the Veteran’s Hospital. Jean attended one year of college after the Mountain Bell Office closed.
On February 14, 1959 Jean married the love of her life Eugene Leidholt and they were married for 57 years. On February 22, 1962 Jean gave birth to a baby girl, Tammy. Although, Jean’s and Tammy’s personalities frequently collided in when Tammy was in high school and when she was a young woman in Jean’s later years her and Tammy were best friends. They would talk on the phone every day and Jean would always say “This was the best day ever” when Tammy would come to see her. During the last five years of her life, Eugene was the caretaker for Jean. During these five years, he did an excellent job of taking care of his wife which allowed her to live in the home she loved until the last 3 weeks of her life.
Jean was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Ladies’ Guild for several years and she held several different offices in that organization. After Jean retired she went out to coffee and walked with her friends every weekday. Jean also enjoyed hosting several coffee’s for her friends at her house. Jean and her husband Eugene loved to travel and they took several cruises. Jean also enjoyed going to rodeos and concerts. Her pride and joy was her grandson Kevin.
Jean is survived by her husband Eugene and her daughter Tammy (Alan) Raymond her grandson Kevin, her brothers-in-laws James (Jessie) Leidholt and Philip (Beverly) Leidholt, Sister-In-Laws Violet(John) Howe and Alma Hartman. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in Death by her parents Roscoe and Ella Decker, a sister, Margaret Kolka, nephews Dick Kolka, Johnny Kolka and Brian Kolka- her brother-in-laws, Robert, Leonard, Julius, Edwin, Adolph and sister-in-laws Tillie, Martha, Peggy.
Visitation will be held on Friday July 15 at Stevenson’s Funeral Home from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday July 16 at 10:00 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 15, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 15, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 16, 2016
Trinity Lutheran Church
221 S. Center Ave.
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 15, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday July 15, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 16, 2016
Trinity Lutheran Church
221 S. Center Ave.
Miles City, MT 59301
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Tracee Raymond-Waples says
Gene, Tammy, Alan and Kevin,
We were so very sorry to hear about the passing of Jean, as she will be dearly missed. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jessie and Jim Leidholt says
So sorry for the loss of dear Jean. She was a beautiful lady.
Della E Connor says
Tammy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Aunt Jeanie was a special lady and she will be missed.
Arlene and JDennis Corbin says
So sorry to learn of Jeans passing. She will be missed by all
Sandy McFarland Hays says
Tammy, I was sorry to read about the loss of your mother. Sending prayers your way.
Jim & Cecile Certain says
Leidholt So sorry to hear about your loss. Take comfort in the knowledge that she is at peace in the Lord. God bless. Jim & Cecile Certain
Judy trout says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dione Leidholt says
Uncle Eugene, Tammy and family. May God bless you all and Aunt Jean. Mom and Aunt Jean were always such good friends and shared the Mt. Bell experience together. I just noticed that they were also the same age, Take care and God bless again.
Carolyn Hoppe says
So sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. She was a very special lady. May
God bless you and keep His hand upon you during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandi and Jim Updyke says
Tammy and family, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your sweet mother. She was a truly sweet lady. May your memories help get you through this difficult time. God bless (Sandi Holter Updyke )
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Just saw this on the e net. I’m very sorry Tammy for your loss. I meet your sweet Mom when Brent and I attended Trinity. May God give you and your family peace,comfort, and strength.
God Bless
Mike and Deeon Bickle says
So sorry for your loss!