Obituary for Leonard John Schladweiler
Leonard Schladweiler, 95 of Ryegate, passed to his heavenly home on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Leonard was the youngest son of Jacob (Jake) and Wilhelmine (Wilie) Peterson Schladweiler, born in Ryegate on December 22, 1926. Leonard was raised on the south bench and started school at the Swimming Woman school north of Ryegate where his mom was the teacher. They later moved to Ryegate where he graduated from Ryegate High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Merchant Marine where he served until 1947. After completion of his time in the Merchant Service he attended Carroll College in Helena where he played basketball and baseball. In his senior year, he served as class president and was captain of the baseball team. After graduation he was drafted into the Army in October of 1951. His brother, Bill, actually signed his draft notice. He was stationed in Camp Stewart Georgia where he was the company clerk. Leonard was honorably discharged in October of 1954.
In the fall of 1954, accepting a teaching job in Musselshell, Montana Leonard began a teaching career that would span 33 years. Following seven years in Musselshell he landed at Ryegate Public School where he taught until his retirement in 1988. To this day, many former students talk about him in the best of ways.
On June 16, 1962 Leonard married MaryAnn Mertzig of Anaconda. To this union were born three children Teresa, Yvonne and Joe.
Leonard enjoyed his retirement years living out his dream of being a sheep farmer. He was proud of his flock and enjoyed countless hours tending to them. In recent years after he sold the sheep to retire for the second time he tended his flock of cats. And followed “his” Seattle Mariners, though he was often disappointed in their play he remained a loyal Mariner fan.
Eight grandchildren filled Leonard’s leisure time. He was fortunate to see them participate in many activities including but not limited to soccer, baseball, 4-H, basketball, track and cross country. He witnessed four college graduations, two weddings and recently was able to hold his great grandson.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill and sister Josephine, sister-in-law Eleanor, brothers-in-law Don, Pete, Bob and Louie. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, MaryAnn, daughter Teresa (Ron) Bare of Reed Point, daughter Yvonne Hecker (Scott Clarke) of Three Forks, and son Joe (Anna) of Rapelje along with his grandchildren, Nate and Darren Hecker, Jake (Sasha) Bare, Whitney (Tanner) Dockery, Cade and Cole Bare, John and Abby Schladweiler and great grandson Walker Dockery. Also sisters-in-law, Mary Lou McPhail and Noreen Lacey along with several nieces and nephews.
As per his wishes a private family mass will be celebrated prior to a Memorial Service in the Ryegate High School gymnasium on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at noon.
Memorials can be made to Carroll College Office of Advancement-1601 N. Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625. (Funds to benefit the athletic program.) OR, Golden Valley Ambulance Service. PO Box 55, Ryegate, MT 59074.
To plant a tree in memory of Leonard John Schladweiler, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
Wednesday
26
Oct
11:30 AM
Ryegate High School
207 2nd Ave W
Ryegate, MT 59074
Cemetery Details
Location
Resurrection Cemetery
404 6th St.
Ryegate, MT 59074
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