Leonard Albert Odenbach was born on August 8, 1923, in Bonesteel, South Dakota, to Martha Wuest Odenbach and Albert Odenbach. Leonard moved to St. Charles, SD, and went to school there until he was in the 9th grade. Leonard walked or rode the bus to school but on many occasions Leonard and a dozen other kids rode to school in a “sheep wagon” pulled by horses.

He then moved to Naper, Nebraska, where he attended school until his junior year of high school. In 1940 he moved to Sidney, Montana, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1941. Following graduation Leonard worked on the family farm.

Leonard loved to tell the story of how one day after working in the fields, he decided to go to the Triangle dance hall with a couple of his buddies to enjoy a night out. They were sitting around laughing and getting a “lay of the land,” when one of his buddies bet Leonard that he did not have the courage to ask the pretty girl with the green fingernail polish to dance. Leonard was nervous but did not want to be thought to be “chicken,” so with a lump in his throat he asked Jean Emily to dance. She agreed and it was the first dance of many.

On March 11, 1948, Leonard was united in marriage to Jean Emily Bahls at the Lonsdale Methodist Church, Sidney, MT. Following their wedding they made their home in the Midway Community near Savage where Leonard and Jean farmed. They raised sugar beets, alfalfa, grain and pinto beans. Leonard and Jean always had milk cows, chickens and sometimes raised pigs, sheep and feed cattle. They eventually purchased the farm they were renting and the neighboring farm and spent 67 wonderful years together only moving once - a distance of 10 feet.

Leonard and Jean had two daughters, Charlene Odenbach Jonsson who was born in 1950 and Lynell Odenbach who was born in 1954.

Family was very important to Leonard, and he celebrated many family gatherings and holidays at the farm. He declared his birthday, August 8, a national holiday and informed everyone about it. As a result, it is a cherished family event, usually celebrated in a field combining grain. In 2023, he celebrated his 100th birthday in Savage, which 174 of his family and friends came from across the United States and Denmark to celebrate together with him.

Leonard was involved with the school boards at the Washington School in the Midway community, and later at the Savage Public School. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Savage where he held various church offices. It was there where he and Jean established many close friendships with couples during their bible studies. Leonard was very involved in the community, serving on several boards; he worked with the Foundation for Community Care, Sidney, MT, from its inception and remained as an emeritus board member; the Richland County Planning board; the Montana Dakota Beet Growers Association; the Savage Cemetery Board; and the West Crane Irrigation Board.

Leonard loved sports and attended every athletic event that he could “drag” Jean to. On many occasions he drove in a blizzard to attend a basketball game. Leonard was presented with the Savage Public School “gold card” which awarded him free lifetime admission to all Savage Public School events. Leonard and Jean enjoyed attending Major League Baseball Spring Training in Arizona with Lynell and her family.

During their later years Leonard enjoyed traveling with Jean in their motorhome to various locations throughout the United States. They spent several winters in Texas, Arizona, and Florida. Additionally, they spent several Christmases in Denmark with Charlene and her family. Leonard loved to travel with Jean but was always glad to come home to Montana which he continually said was “God’s country.” He practiced and would constantly tell his family “Look for the good in people - as there is good in everyone.”

Leonard passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, at the age of 101 at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care in Sidney, Montana.

Leonard is survived by his two daughters, Charlene Jonsson (with Gene Buxcel) of Savage and Lynell Odenbach (husband Kim Widup) of Arlington, TX; grandchildren Kjeld Jonsson (with Hanna Jepsen), Savage; Amie Jonsson Hall (husband Dave), Merritt Island, FL; Chris Widup (wife Rachel Agee), Downers Grove, IL; and Katherine Widup (husband Nick Mirabile), Downers Grove, IL; great grandchildren Kyler and Karsten Jonsson, Savage; Grey, Davis and Harrison Hall, Merritt Island, FL; Smith and Rowan Widup, Downers Grove, IL; Madilyn and Leonardo Mirabile, Downers Grove, IL; Sister Hilda Reck (husband Harold) of Savage; brother Gary Odenbach (wife Joanne) Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Jean of 67 years; parents Albert and Martha Odenbach; sisters Florence Odenbach Davis and Louetta Odenbach Damm; brother Leon Odenbach; and granddaughter Allison Lynn Jonsson.

Memorial Contribution