Leonard Joseph Rolf, age 90, passed away October 7, 2015 at the V.A. Community Living Center in Miles City.
Leonard was born March 10, 1925 in Cedar Rapids, NE to George and Helena (Hughes) Rolf. He was the 4th oldest of 7 children. He graduated from Cedar Rapids High School in 1944. He was drafted into the Navy before graduation but he had enough credits to graduate. Leonard was in the Navy from February 1944 to July 1945 serving as a Seaman 1st Class on a tanker ship named USS Neosho in the South Pacific. After the war he hitchhiked to Seattle, WA to visit an old teacher. This is where he met Hortense Ostendorf, his future wife, in the winter of 1945. Leonard harvested grain in North Dakota in 1946 returning to Seattle in the fall of 1946 where he went to work for Boeing Aircraft Company as an electrician until 1951. He also worked as a pin-setter at a bowling alley to earn extra money. On September 6, 1947 he married Hortense M. Ostendorf at the St. Boniface Church in Anaheim, CA. In April 1951 they moved to Miles City and bought a ranch in the Pine Hills. This is where they stayed and raised their family of 4 children; Gayle, Walter, Wayne and Kay. Leonard built a beautiful log living room by dragging logs out of the hills with a team of horses and doing all the finish work. He also loved making lamps and tables out of cedar.
Leonard always had time to play with, tease and show support for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. He was very family oriented and had a pool put in so gatherings could be held with a focus on the family. When not at home, he and his wife enjoyed fishing, dancing and traveling in the motor home, often with friends. He was a member of the Range Riders, The Southeastern Montana Fiddlers and the Elks. He was also a past member of the Stock Growers, served as a school board member and a 4-H supporter.
Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hortense, daughter Gayle and all his siblings; Sylvester, Norma, Leo, Mary Ann, Lorraine and Raymond.
He is survived by his children: Walter (Shirley) Rolf of Miles City, Wayne (Melissa) Rolf of Miles City, Kay (Marc) Aberg of Miles City, and son-in-law Bud (Mel) Peterson of Miles City; his grandchildren: Staci (Tye) Ketchum, Tonya (Brady) Liles, Erik (Sarah) Peterson, Seth Peterson, Gary (Amber) Rolf, Ryan (Nicole) Rolf, Shandy Aberg, Marci (Emmett) Mollman, Lauren (Graham) Kehrer and his great grandchildren: Elaina & Augustus; Tristen, Reese, & Novalee; Harrison; Haden; Kinley & Remy; and Ali.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2015 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Miles City V. A. Community Living Center, 210 S Winchester Ave, Miles City, MT 59301 or the Range Riders Museum, 425 L.P. Anderson Rd., Miles City, MT 59301. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday October 11, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday October 12, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Monday October 12, 2015
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday October 11, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday October 12, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Monday October 12, 2015
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dale & Cindy Berg says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. So hard to say goodbye to our parents. Now he and Hortense can be together again. God bless you all.
Kathy Damm Culy says
Dear Rolf Family,
Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss of your dad. My memories are more from the 70’s when Kay and I played ball. He was always smiling and happy …many hugs and prayers at this sad time
GARY AND PAT HELM says
prayers to the rolf family from all the helms. will miss seeing them at the dances and the 4h doings. god bless you all at this time of your sorrow.
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Sorry to read about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Penny (Sumer) Schmidt says
Peace and Prayers to all of Leonard’s family at this sad time. Wrap your hearts around the good memories .
Kathleen D. Rau says
To all family and friends,So sorry for your loss. I feel fortunate I got to meet him one summer.He had an amazing life,and his legacy carries on. Blessings and prayers, Kathleen D.Rau. Bellingham, Washington
Arn, Connie, Joel Huseby says
Thinking of all of yoy. Remembering the good times we shared as neighbors.
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Our sympathies to the family, Some things I remember about Uncle Len . One handed pushups. Always seemed to be in a good mood. If he thought you were a little windy he would say what! Helping tear down a bridge when the county changed the road and building a shelter for calves at our place. Branding and not knowing who would be riding Rawhide this time Lots of fond memories of trading Thank.sgivings and Christmases . Telling Walter and me we better quiet down when we stayed over. A good man. My regards Tom
Aaron Mollie Robert and Michael Phipps says
We are never ready to let go of our loved ones. He is in a better place now, and is dancing in heaven with all who are waiting there to meet him! Our thoughts, love, and prayers to you throughout this time.
Wanda Gresens says
Sorry to hear of your dads passing .my condolences