Leslie Linendoll, 94
Leslie Vernon Linendoll, 94, passed away peacefully at Life Care Sandpoint, Idaho, on Saturday, March 18, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with pneumonia. He was looking forward to Heaven.
Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Andy Kennaly officiating. Military Honors will follow.
Leslie was born on Jan. 16, 1929, in Grenora, N.D., to Chet and Florence Linendoll. He grew up and attended schools in Grenora, Kalispell, and Missoula graduating in Grenora.
His mother suggested he go to barber school since he talked a lot. He completed barber training in 1948 in Fargo. In 1950, he went to enlist in the Navy, but then he got his invitation from President Truman to report to the Army. After training, he cruised in a troop ship across the Atlantic and served his enlistment in Germany. He was popular and made a little side money with his barber skills. He continued barbering when he returned to live in Grenora, then western Montana.
He met and married Maxine Drake in Hamilton, Mont., on March 6, 1955. He met her at the drive-in movies. He knew what he was in for when he drove to the farm where she lived with her parents to ask her on a date and found her riding a horse bareback with both ankles in casts.
He took advantage of the GI Bill to get his bachelor's degree at Montana State University. He was in ROTC as a second lieutenant for the National Guard and also barbering to make ends meet. They went to Fort Knox, Ky., two times for four months each for Army officer training and to make some money to continue in college. By the time he graduated in December 1959, they had a bachelor's degree, qualification for Army captain, two children and no money.
He found his superpower as a history teacher, beginning his teaching career in 1960. He taught for two years in Havre, Mont. They were able to move back to Hamilton, Mont., where he taught eighth grade history from 1962 to 1989. He loved it and never wanted to do anything else. He loved knowing almost everyone in town.
He loved being active in the community keeping involved with the Fair Board, Water Board, Planning Commission, Airport Committee, Back Country Horsemen and announcer for the ladies mounted drill team. He continued with the National Guard until 1982, retiring as Lt. Colonel.
He enjoyed family and visiting with people, especially over coffee or at the store. He was a reader and a lifelong learner. He loved music and flying. He was a good son, brother, husband, friend and father. He said in a memoir, “I never thought of myself as exceptional. I did what I had to do to support the family and fortunately for me, it is what I wanted to do and what I liked doing. If you like what you are doing and you do your best you are a success and others envy you.”
He is survived by daughter Dawn (Karen) of Sandpoint; son Lane of Sandpoint; sister Barbara Anderson of Helena, Mont.; granddaughter Candace Brown of Brewerton, N.Y.; great-grandchildren Aiden and Lilah; nephews Neil, Steve, Brian and Rob, and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by Maxine in 1998 and sisters Lois Staab and Lily Lovell Chadband. In 2002, he married Sharon Newell Korman, who passed in February 2023.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling arrangements. Please visit Leslie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guestbook.