Obituary - Leland "Fat" Slonaker

Leland "Fat" Slonaker, 98, of Havre passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Northern Montana Hospital.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life memorial will be held for this wonderful, caring man at 11 a.m. on June 24, 2016, at the Eagles Club in Havre.

Because of his love of all sports, Leland would have loved to have memorial donations directed to Havre High School athletics or Chinook High School athletics in his name.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Leland's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Leland was born on May 9, 1918, on the family homestead north of Chinook. He was raised between Chinook and Zurich, attending country schools in Blaine County through eighth grade. Following his school years, Leland worked on the farm helping his family.

He married Eva Benner in 1940, and the couple was blessed with five children.

During the war, Leland and Eva relocated to Tacoma, Washington, to work in the shipyards, returning home after a brief stay to help his father on his farm.

He began working as a heavy equipment operator soon after his return, working in various locations in Blaine and Hill counties for several years, as well as other locations around the state. Leland enjoyed his work with the heavy equipment and began working as a mechanic for AC Supply, which he continued for many years.

After his semi-official retirement in the early 1980s, he worked on his brother-in-law's farm, tending his cattle and operating farm equipment.

Leland was an outgoing, gentle man who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching local sports teams and the Seattle Mariners. He was an active man with a great sense of humor, who enjoyed spending time in or driving through the north country and playing pinochle a couple of times a week. He was a friend to everyone, who always expressed a positive outlook in life and whose memory was as sharp as a tack. Leland was adored by his family, whom he always made time for, and was considered a superhero by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leland was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eva; his daughter, Janine Harada; his parents, George and Bessie Slonaker; his brothers, Don, Fred and Les Slonaker; and his sisters, Margaret Pridgeon, Eleanor Blevins and Olive Sheppard.

Leland is survived by his sons, Dick (Barbara) Slonaker of Havre and Bob (Kathy) Slonaker of Lakeside, Montana; his daughters, Karen Hughes of Oakdale, Minnesota, and Lori Smith of Basin, Montana; his 21 grandchildren; his 39 great-grandchildren; his 21 great-great-grandchildren; his sister May Gertson of Chinook; numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews; and many friends, including his close friend, Cy Slaby.