Leonard Long

It is with deep regret and sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Leonard.

Leonard A. Long Sr., 73, was born on Oct. 11, 1935, in Big Beaver, Saskatchewan, and passed away at his home in Creston, Wash., on Feb. 20, 2009, with his treasured Kay at his side.

He was the sixth of eight children born to Bruce and Dorothy Long. He was baptized on May 5, 1936, in the Church of Holy Family. Leonard spent his childhood in the areas of Big Beaver, Redstone and Wolf Point. He was proud of his service to the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

On Dec. 5, 1958, Leonard married Winifred Grovom. He was a loving father of five children. Leonard worked at highway construction, farming and ranching and trucking throughout Montana. He was a long-standing member of the VFW. In his younger years, Leonard enjoyed fishing and bird and big game hunting with his many friends and his sons. He also had a great interest in watching and identifying wild birds.

Leonard had many friends throughout Montana and Washington who never tired of listening to his abundant, humorous and adventurous stories. Leonard’s mind had a phenomenal capability for recalling names of anyone who crossed his path.

Survivors include his long-time, much-loved and final caregiver, Kay Tippett; daughters, Leanne

Buzzell of Columbia Falls, Sandy (Vic) Benson of Ontario, Canada, Leah Jean Pelletier of Katy, Texas; sons, Leonard (Annette) Long of Shelby, Larry (Lorena) Long of Spokane Valley, Wash.; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews; and his faithful Shelti, Nugget.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Winifred; brother Wesley Long; sister Hellen Mueller; nephew Mike Long, two great-granddaughters; and son-in-law, Dan Pelletier.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, Wash.. Memorials may be made to Columbia Basin Health and Hospice, 311 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake, WA 98837. Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, Wash., is caring for the family. Go to www.stratefuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book.