Leonard Arthur Schleder
Leonard Arthur Schleder peacefully left us on May 4, 2024, with his wife, Jackie, and family at his side. Leonard was born to Elizabeth Koch Schleder and Raymond Schleder on March 8, 1929, in Miles City, Montana. He grew up on the ranch in Sumatra, working from an early age beside his parents on the ranch. Leonard attended the Sumatra schools. Leonard’s father died in 1944 at the age of 45 years. Leonard was fifteen years old. That last summer while working on the farm his dad instilled in Leonard how to live a respectable life and how to treat others. Leonard practiced that advice his entire life. Leonard graduated from Sumatra High School in a class of three in 1947. He was proud that he had purchased tax title lots in the Sumatra Incorporated town before he was of legal age. Leonard attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana for one year, transferring to Montana State College in Bozeman, Montana for one semester. However, the call of the ranch life had him purchasing a 3,000-acre ranch in the Bull Mountains north of Shepherd, Montana in 1950 where he raised cattle and Pinto horses.
In 1953, he married Jacqueline Clark. They lived on the ranch with eleven miles of dirt roads from the highway and no electricity or modern conveniences. In 1955, they moved to the Shepherd community and in 1956, he started working for a local farmer, Elmer Quanbeck, learning about irrigated farming. During those years Leonard and Jackie started a monthly pinochle club which lasted for twenty-one years. In 1959, he wanted to own a farm, so Leonard and Jackie purchased the Leonard McSweyn farm. For many years Leonard made the nineteen-mile commute to take care of the Bull Mountain ranch and the Shepherd farm. As we all know, sometimes things do not always go as planned. Leonard suffered an accident which seriously injured his left arm. He was in a cast for more than nineteen months. Because of this injury, Leonard was forced to sell the Bull Mountain ranch in 1969.
Leonard was active in community and church. He joined the Knights of Columbus at the age of 18. Leonard was elected to be a Community Board member in 1952. He was a charter member of Shepherd Lions Club and a Charter member of St Bernard church. While the girls were in school, Leonard served as a board member of District 10 and 37 Shepherd Schools. He hosted the first lunch/meeting of the Shepherd Seniors. Leonard was always available to help with 4-H activities. Many of the girls’ friends have said that Leonard was a great host for sleepovers and always willing to drive them home when they were unable to drive. That speaks to Leonard’s character and compassion for others.
Leonard’s love for farming and irrigation led him to begin his own business, Ideal Irrigation, installing pivot systems, grain bins, and large metal machine sheds.
In 1982, an opportunity opened through MSU to work in Saudi Arabia as an irrigation manager. Leonard was hired for a one-year contract to install pivot irrigation systems and grow wheat in the desert for the Crown Prince Mugrin’s farm. During that year, he installed 300 pivots. In 1984, Leonard was rehired for another one-year contract. This time he was the farm manager overseeing the installation of the pivots, the planting of the wheat, and the harvesting of the crops. His time in Saudia Arabia was a learning curve for an individual so strong in his Catholic faith and high respect towards women.
In 1986, Leonard was hired as a manager for a ranch in Victor, Idaho. Leonard worked and managed the Parrish Lane Ranch for 27 years. This time his commute from one farm to the ranch was 359 miles.
Three of Leonard’s daughters were in the military. He was very proud of their military service. The fourth daughter was not in the military, but instead taught the military connected children on overseas bases. Leonard and Jackie made many memories and experienced many cultural diversities while spending holiday and life-time events with their daughters around the world.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Jackie, daughters Kathleen Bertrand, Lorraine Schleder, Dianne Hodges (Ted), and Lisa Schleder-Kirkpatrick (Don); his grandchildren: Brandon Bertrand, Steven Bertrand, Lynn Conley, Dean McCaffree, Randi Selle, Brian McCaffree, Clay McCaffree, Jesse Hodges, Anna Hodges and Chase Kirkpatrick; sixteen great grandchildren; and three great -great grandchildren. Preceding Leonard in death were his parents; sister, Irene Messer; brother-in-law, Phil Messer; parents-in-law, Jack and Borghild Clark; son-in-law, Richard Bertrand; and granddaughter-in-law, Kelli McCaffree.
