Leonard Ray Kallevig
July 9, 1926 — Oct. 19, 2010
MONTROSE — Leonard Ray Kallevig passed away at his home in Montrose, Colo. on Oct. 19, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was one of 13 children and was born on a farm at Mona, Mont. to parents, John and Julia (Curtis) Kallevig. When he was a year old, the family moved to Yellowstone Valley near Sidney, Mont., where he grew up and received his education. During World War II, he entered the Army shortly after turning 18. He served overseas in the Philippines and was with the 32nd (Red Arrow) Division, which was noted for seeing the most action in that area during the war. He fought bravely and was awarded the Bronze Star for action beyond the call of duty. After being wounded in battle, he also received the Purple Heart. He was united in marriage with the former Martha Jane Lawson, of Culbertson, Mont., and together they raised three daughters. He was in the grain business for 35 years, serving elevator companies in Montana and North Dakota as manager and later as general manager, retiring in 1989. After retirement, he and Martha spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz. and summers at their home in Sidney, Mont. In 2005, they moved to Montrose, Colo. He enjoyed watching sports on television and working on the family’s vehicles. Whenever mechanic work needed to be done, they always called on Grandpa for help. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all his family.
He leaves to mourn his loving wife, Martha; daughters, Donna (Dan) Wanner, of St. Bonifacius, Minn., Cheryl, (Bruce) Keith, of Delta, Colo. and Carla (Ted) Grose, of Los Angeles, Calif.; five grandchildren, Pat (Karen) Keith, Parker, Colo., Kristen (Duane) Reimer, Casper, Wyo., Sara (Alfonso) Zamarripa, of Montrose, Colo., Darren (JoLynn) Wanner, Fargo N.D., Douglas (Cassie) Wanner of Eden Prairie, Minn.; five great- grandchildren, Lance and Shane Keith, Tyler Gallegos, Haylee Zamarripa and Vincent Wanner; one brother, Roy of Sidney, Mont.; two sisters, Shirley Martini, Laurel, Mont. and Doris Elke of Port Angeles, Wash., also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and nine brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at Zion Lutheran Church in Montrose with graveside services with Military Honors to follow at Cedar Cemetery, in Montrose. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western CO, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose,CO 81402 and the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.christian memorials.com to leave messages of condolence. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St. Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
