Dale Arthur Leens

Dale Arthur Leens passed away peacefully at his home in Kingman, Arizona in the early hours on April 19, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Dale was born in a small house in Cartwright, North Dakota to Gladys and Arthur Leens on May 11, 1934. He lived most of his childhood in and near Fairview, Montana where he had many friends and family.

Dale entered the military career right out of high school. He had many years of training as an airplane electrician for 22 years in the United States Air Force where he obtained an E6 ranking of Tech Sergeant. Dale moved to many exciting areas in his military career; Thailand, Guam, Alaska and Minot, North Dakota to name a few.

He came back to his hometown of Fairview many years later. Dale purchased a house in Cartwright, North Dakota that he was proud of as it had been owned by someone in his family history for four generations. In 1959, he married Iris Money and they had a son, Steve Dale Leens born on May 11, 1960. In 1964 Dale married Geraldine Dooley and they had a daughter, Julie Whitehead Currently of Helena, Montana. Dale moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 1975 where he married Sheileagh Serrien.

Dale worked several jobs after his military career, such as, Holly Sugar Factory in Sidney, Montana as an electrical engineer and U-Haul in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. He also owned his own mobile electrical company, which he had been doing for many years into his retirement. Dale can best be known for his ability to fix anything and would spend hours in the garage organizing it or fixing and building cars.

Dale was a member of the knights of Columbus for many years. He enjoyed outdoor activities and being a home body. He was very organized and was a bit of an intellectual conversationalist, always enjoying a good debate and the challenge to get his point across. Dale was a very giving and generous man, giving people many things just because he thought they might need it more than he did. He was always helping others with free or discounted electrical assistance because they were in need of it. He was also known for his smile and his laughter and his big heart that we will all miss very much.

Dale is survived by his daughter, Julie (Samuel) Whitehead of Helena; brother, Kenneth (Ruth) Leens of Kingman, Arizona; his grandchildren, Rochelle (Nick) Griffin and their daughter Alexa, Chase Vaira, Kyle Vaira, Bailey and Kali Whitehead, Jeanette Beatson, Helena Beatson, Gordon Beatson, Deborah Beatson, along with many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Steven Leens in 1989; parents Gladys and Arthur.

Services will be 10 a.m., Monday, August 6, 2012 at Retz Funeral Home in Helena. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A luncheon reception will be held at the home of Julie Whitehead, 3930 Traufer Avenue, Helena following graveside services. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Dale, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.