Teddy F. Leonard

Ted graduated in 1950 from Lewiston High School, where he lettered in track and football. After graduation, Ted took a job at Potlatch Forests Inc. until he enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 11, 1953. Following his basic training at Camp Roberts, he went to Fort Ord, Calif., for his schooling. After that, he was posted to Camp Chaffee (now Fort Smith), Ark., as a supply clerk armorer-artificer, repairing all company weapons. Several months later, he applied for a transfer to Europe, and was assigned to Hanau, Germany, where he served until his discharge on May 6, 1955.

Upon returning to Lewiston, Ted resumed his job at PFI, where he stayed until his retirement in June 1994, for a total of 44 years. He worked in various departments, starting out on the lumber side, moving to the paper side and finally as an oiler. Whenever someone remarked about the "stinky" mill, he would reply, "Smells like money to me."

On Jan. 23, 1959, Ted married Virginia (Thompson) Hasfurther in Clarkston and became an instant father to her two daughters. A son and two more daughters were born in the next nine years. The term "step" was never used - all five kids were "his," and he would just grin and keep silent if someone referred to him as Mr. Hasfurther.

Ted was an avid fisherman and hunter and taught himself to tie flies. It was always a point of pride when one of his flies fooled a big lunker to bite. It didn't matter if the fish weren't biting or the deer and elk didn't show, any day on the river or in the woods was a good day. In later years, when he had to give up scrambling over river rocks, he settled for the concrete pier in East Lewiston, Mann Lake or Winchester Lake, but these were good days, too, especially his final trip in mid-April with his son-in-law, John. He patiently shared his fish slaying skills with his loyal fishing buddies - his kids and grandkids. Another fishing buddy was family friend Scott Kress.

Camping was another of Ted's early passions, and he instilled the love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. Family camping trips to the Lochsa River, Weitas Creek, Kelly Creek and Washington Creek provided the source for many funny stories and memories. Ted was a longtime member of the American Legion Post No. 13 in Lewiston and the National Rifle Association.

Honorary pallbearers are his nine grandsons, Ken Tannahill, Tim Tannahill, Marc Rinard, Brian Boles, Cameron McCamey, Zach Leipheimer-James, Nick Eberle, Jacob Leonard and Ethan Leonard.

Ted is survived by his wife of 57 years, Virginia; and five children, Maurine (Tom) Hoffman of Olalla, Wash., Colleen Hasfurther of Port Orchard, Wash., Thomas (Jill) Leonard of Wenatchee, Jill (John) Nock of Culdesac and Jan Eberle of Lewiston; and one brother, Mervin "Mike" Leonard of Orofino. In addition to the grandsons named above, there are six granddaughters, Richelle Nichols, Tiffany Tannahill, Erin Sutton, Sarah Walters, Megan Hardin and Hannah Eberle; as well as 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Wilford Warren and Henry William; a brother, Richard "Dick" Leonard; sister Cora May Cantonwine; infant grandson Brian Rinard; and two beloved nephews, Richard "Rick" Leonard Sr. and Greg Holben.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston.

The family wishes to thank Drs. Hoopman, Mills, Burnett, Strait, Cook, Joshi and their associates, the many registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and other caring staff at Kootenai Health who provided excellent care to both Ted and his family during his hospitalization. A special thank you to the ladies of The Walden House, your caring and compassion were a true comfort during this stressful time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Walden House, 705 W. Emma Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, or a charity of your choice.

Dad, we know that you're fishing to your heart's content and Pete-dog is by your side. We hope the cheeseburgers are big and juicy. We're not giving you away; we're just loaning you.