Obituary - Leslie L. 'Les' Blair

Leslie L. "Les" Blair, 88, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, November 26, 2022.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2022, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dane Breitung officiating. A private family burial will occur later.

Les' family has suggested memorial donations be made in his memory to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 11th Ave, Havre, MT 59501, Gideons International, PO Box 724, Havre, MT 59501, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Les' online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .

Les was born in Havre to Harvey and Winifred Blair August 18, 1934, joining his sisters, Marie and Helen. He spent most of his childhood in Havre.

After completing school, Les joined the United States Air Force. Upon Les' discharge, he returned to Havre, making it his lifelong home.

Les married Marie Dannels and they welcomed their children, Curtis, Muriel and Steven. Some years later, he married Mary Thurston, and joined her in raising her five children, Vance, Sean, Vaughn, Vickie and Valerie. Mary passed away in 2016.

Les is probably best-remembered for being an automotive mechanic, owning his own business for many years. Upon retirement, he sold his mechanic shop, and ventured into the self-storage business (Havre Space Center). He was still actively involved with this until the day he passed on.

Les was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Gideons International. For those who knew him, Les will be remembered for being the strong silent presence with an easy reassuring smile and gentle reminder that "God has a plan." In his earlier years, he was very involved in the Havre Trap Club as a competitor and president. He loved reading and using the knowledge gained in trivia games. Les also enjoyed welding and utilizing his mechanic's skills in his spare time. In his later years, he enjoyed baking pies for his evening snack of blueberry pie and ice cream.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Blair, and sister Marie Hollingshead.

Les is survived by his children, Curtis (Deborah) Blair, Muriel (Bob) Malin, Steven Blair, Vance (Mary Kay) Thurston, Vicky (Jeff) Michels, Sean Thurston, Vaughn Thurston, and Valerie (George) Callahan; 18 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister Helen Brazil; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends including Janet Haas.