Leo J. Drong

Leo J. Drong, 102, a retired City of Havre and Hill County employee, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and his memorial service will be 2 p. m. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Tim Maroney officiating.

Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorials in Leo's honor may be made to St. Jude Parish Center or to a memorial of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Leo was born Feb. 10, 1909, in Browerville, Minn., to Jacob and Mary (Chock) Drong. At the age of 2, he and his mother moved out to Havre, Mont., after his father died. Leo attended schools in Havre. Leo married Ione Converse on Feb. 8, 1935, in Chinook, Mont.

They made their home in Havre and raised their two children. Leo worked for the City of Havre. Ione passed away in 1949, leaving Leo with their two young children to raise on his own. Leo worked hard to keep his family together. On May 4, 1957, Leo married Catherine Newbauer. They remained living in Havre, where Leo worked for Hill County as a heavy equipment operator. They enjoyed spending time with family and traveling together. Catherine passed away in 1994. Leo retired from the county in 1975, but Leo didn't like to sit idle so he began working for Bill Dritsoulas as a handy man or jack-of-all trades kind of helper. Leo worked for Bill until he was 85 years old. Leo was always proud to say that he lived in Havre for 100 years.

Leo had a unique mind. He was always inventing things and was very imaginative and could fix anything. He enjoyed people and was very kind and good mannered.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Ione in 1949, and Catherine in 1994; two half-brothers; and one grandson, Michael F, olk in 1978.

Leo is survived by his daughter, Maxine (Joe) Folk of Havre, Mont., and his son, Kenneth James (Linda) Drong of Havre, Mont. ; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.