Celebration of Life: will follow at the Saint Matthews Family Life Center and Leons family extends an invitation to join them for a meal and time of fellowship.
A prayer service for Leon Wandler will be at 5:00 pm on Wednesday June 30, 2004 at Saint Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Tom Kadera officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Saint Matthews Family Life Center and Leons family extends an invitation to join them for a meal and time of fellowship.
Leon passed away on Saturday June 19, 2004 at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette, Wyoming.
Leon Edward Wandler was born July 26, 1932 the son of John and Rozella (Maixner) Wandler on the family farm in Hettinger County, North Dakota. The first few years of his life, were spent on the farm in North Dakota. From there, his parents moved to Spokane, Washington, to find work during the depression. His mother died in 1938, leaving seven children. Grandma Maixner took the two youngest children to her home in New England, North Dakota. In 1943, she brought the rest of the children to North Dakota, when their father could no longer care for them. The Maixner grandparents and the aunts and uncles took all the children and loved and cared for them from then on. Leon attended high school at the Assumption Abbey in Richardton, North Dakota. His favorite pass time there was skipping school and going fishing. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. While attending Wahpeton State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, he met Betty Dubuque. They married on July 8, 1957 and lived a month in Grand Forks before moving to Glendive, Montana. In 1963, with two small children, Leon and Betty moved to Gillette, Wyoming. In 1964, Leon and Hank Barney purchased a machine shop and named it L&H Welding and Machine Company. Leon prospered during the good years in the oil patch and built and moved into a new shop in 1982. He loved his work and made many good friends over all the years.
Leon is survived by his wife; Betty Wandler of Rozet, Wyoming, five children: Ann Sherwood of Powell, Wyoming; Lee Wandler; Laura Roush; Jeff Wandler; and Mike Wandler all of Gillette, Wyoming; one sister, Patricia Wandler of Santa Barbara, California; two brothers: Donald Wandler of Racine, Wisconsin; Jack Wandler of Billings, Montana; eleven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rick and two sisters: Loretta and Joan.
A memorial has been established in Leons name to benefit the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of Gillette, Wyoming or a charity of one's choice.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Larry Tree says
Dear Wandler Family,
It was an pleasure and an honor to be part of Leon’s business past. He was a true legend in Wyoming business and a true gentleman and “competitor”. I am honored to have known him.
Sincerely,
Larry Tree, Founder / President / CEO of EMS (across the highway)