Obituary of Leonard Harold Smith

Leonard Harold Smith, 94, died Monday, August 29 at the VA Rehab Hospital of natural causes.
Leonard was born June 3, 1928, in Eyota MN, to Harold and Nina Smith. Leonard 
graduated from Rochester High School. 

On August 3, 1948, he enlisted in the Navy Air Force as a mechanic, mostly repairing airplanes. He worked on the president’s plane and had fun stories about that. On November 30, 1952, he was discharged from the Navy due to a compound skull fracture.

Leonard married Katherine on March 21, 1970.  They were married for 52 years.

Leonard was a cabinet maker by trade and worked in sign and display when he retired in 1990. He was retired for 30 years and spent summers in MN and winters in AZ.  Leonard excelled in his many hobbies; woodcarving, furniture making, silver smith, stained glass.  He enjoyed square dancing, hunting, fishing. He also loved hiking, and at the age of 70, hiked the Grand Canyon.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Katherine; brother-in-law, Paul Streiff; children, Craig (Kathy) Smith, Linda (Charles) Keifer, Diane (Jerry) Cheek, Patricia Pence, Michelle (Craig) Wohlars, Sharri Melberg; 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Nina Smith; brother Don Smith; sisters, Ruth Streiff and Ardeth Rosecrans; brother-in-law John Macpherson; son Robert John Melberg; and grandson Robert Leonard Melberg.

A Memorial, Saturday, October 1 at 11:00 at Travelers Country Club No 1, 8520 85^th Ave SE, Clear Lake, MN.  There will be a private committal service at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Little Falls.