Leonard Marion Mitchell, 89
Leonard Marion Mitchell, 89, passed away on, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006, at Huckleberry Retirement Home in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Ritualistic services will be performed by Sandpoint Elks Lodge No. 1376, Saturday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Sandpoint Elks Lodge, guests are invited, and a reception will follow.
Leonard was born in Sandpoint on April 11, 1917, the youngest of three children to William and Leah (Walker) Mitchell. He attended the local Sandpoint schools and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1936. Upon graduation, he worked for J.C. Penney Co. as a salesman until entering the U.S. Army in July 1942.
While in the Army, Leonard moved through Africa and Italy as an infantryman, followed by an assignment as a clerk in the Adjutant General Corps with the 6th U.S. Army Group where he served in Corsica, southern France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat environment, Good Conduct Medal, European Theater of Operations ribbon with four stars, Asiatic Theater of Operations ribbon, and the Victory Medal. After World War II, he received an honorable discharge as a technician fourth grade in November 1945.
He went to work for the Farmin Insurance Agency as an insurance and real estate salesman, where he met his future wife, Lura Langford. Leonard and Lura were married on June 1, 1946. in Thompson Falls, Mont.
In 1966, he purchased the real estate and insurance business from Wray Farmin, and merged with Dale Lee to form Sandpoint Realty Company. Sandpoint Realty was first located next to First Federal Savings and Loans on North Second Avenue, but moved several times over its lifetime. In the early 1970's, they sold the insurance portion of Sandpoint Realty to Dick Hooley. Leonard retired from Sandpoint Realty and sold his share of the business to Richard Hutter in 1982. Sandpoint Realty is still in existence today.
Leonard was a 35-year member of the Kiwanis Club as well as a former president in 1953. Leonard was a member of the Sandpoint Elks Lodge since 1942 and served as Exalted Ruler of the Lodge in 1955-'56. He also served as the Elk's Idaho State President in 1962-'63. He was also a member of the American Legion for more than 40 years and a long-standing member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint. He enjoyed family activities at their lake home near Garfield Bay, reading westerns, hunting, fishing, and getting out into the mountains of North Idaho.
Leonard and Lura were also "snowbirds" and lived in Sun City, Ariz., for about 10 years in the 1980s.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lura Mitchell of Sandpoint; four daughters, Sherri L. (John) Polarine of Sagle, Linda L. (Steve) Schaffner of Sandpoint, Lori A. (David) Jennings of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Sally (Brett) Peterson of Sandpoint; a son, William L. (Sherry) Mitchell of Sandpoint; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marvel Ekholm; a brother, Beryl Mitchell; and granddaughter, Holly Anne Peterson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent in Leonard's name to the Sandpoint Elks Lodge No. 1376.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Leonard's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.