A gentle, humble, and wise Frenchman, David Allen LeMieux was born August 20, 1931, to David and Helen LeMieux in Minot, ND. He passed away on December 24, 2020, surrounded by his children, who were his best friends.
He was raised during the Great Depression and World War II in Stanley, ND. He was a proud Stanley Blue Jay and an all-sports athlete, graduating in 1948. Go Blue Jays! Being involved in the family farm implement business, Stanley and the community always remained close to his heart.
After high school, Allen attended Carroll College and the University of North Dakota (UND), earning a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1952. Allen proudly served overseas as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, Allen returned to UND to complete his law degree. He graduated from the School of Law, passing the North Dakota State Bar in 1958. He then moved to Great Falls, MT and worked for a law firm and passed his Montana State Bar in 1959.
In Great Falls, he found friendship and fun at the Gannon Ranch. Through his kinship with the Gannon brothers, he met the joy of his life, “Luke” Lucille Gannon. They married on January 9, 1960, and settled in Boulder, MT, where Allen began his career as Jefferson County and City Attorney. He loved Jefferson County and its ways. Allen was instrumental in making Boulder and Jefferson County a better place to live, along with the likes of George Paradise, Dr. Phil Pallister, Harold DeMers, and other community leaders. Allen opened his own private practice after his time as County Attorney until he happily retired in 1996. He was a humanitarian and a noble public servant. Allen was highly respected, and many sought his wisdom and counsel.
Allen and Luke shared 60 years of love and adventures while raising 9 children. Allen said to raise a large family took courage and faith. They raised their “LeMieux Crew” with love, integrity, hard work and play, discipline, laughter, and humility.
Some of our favorite thoughts of Dad: Making his famous fudge “failures,” French crepes “piggy wiggies,” peanut butter frosting, pies, and Dutch oven cooking in the mountains. Dad loved family backpacking and horse pack trips. Family outings would include campouts, museum visits, roadside geology lessons, family sing-alongs, and our treasured trips to Alaska. He shared his passion for aviation by taking us to many airshows and fly-ins throughout the Pacific Northwest. He was an avid reader; we would often find Dad in a library or bookstore. He lined our home with overflowing bookshelves everywhere. He was a talented pianist, watercolor artist, and writer. Our family’s love of basketball began with our Dad. We will always remember Dad’s game of behind-the-back passes, hook shots, and “North Dakota” free-throws.
We would like to share a page from his personal journal. Dad was asking himself the question, “What would I do if I knew I only had one day to live?” His precious words will not only encourage you to love each other well, but they will give you a small glimpse into the heart of the amazing father we had.
One Day: “Be sure everyone in our family knows I love them more than anything and that they’ve given me tons of joy and that I’ll never forget them and will always be with them and will look anxiously to the time when we can be together in person as well as in spirit. And I’d hug them all and hug them all and thank them for being in my life and ask them to forgive me for any and all hurts I may have caused them and then I’d hug them some more and we’d sit close together by a nice stream and I’ll keep saying thanks, thanks and how wonderful it’s been just to know you and live with you and to say once, “Pray for me.” and I’ll help you and be with you all the time, wherever you are. Maybe we would have a pizza and Pepsi party, but I’d want to hear everyone’s voice lots and lots and look into their eyes and see lots of smiles. And I’ll tell them it’s ok. I’m in them always and so I’ll never be far away from any of them and if they want to talk to me, I’ll always be there, listening, loving and cheering them on!”
Allen was a man of wisdom, great intellect, and virtue. Integrity was the only shirt he wore. A lawyer, a soldier, an aviator, a miner, rancher at times, oilman, horseman, a planter of trees, writer, artist, geologist, outdoorsman, all things man; but above all, he was our dad. Our forever guide.
Allen is survived by his children John (Mary) of Manning, ND; Rita Bullock (Lance) of Boulder, MT; Monica Stone (Ron) of Wallace, ID; Colette LeMieux (Vernon) of Montana City, MT; David of Boulder, MT; Alex (Mary) of Clancy; MT, Bernadette Botz (Michael) of Billings, MT; Maria Rogne (Steve) of Helena, MT; and Pierre (Jamie) of Jefferson City, MT. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: 13 granddaughters (Rachelle, Miranda, Sarah, Morgan, Jaden, Kaitlin, Ivy, Hailey, Ellie, Laura, Mary, Aysia, and Landry), 13 grandsons (Tyler, Jeremiah, Matthew, Nicholas, Cody, Dylan, Joshua, Forrest, Daniel, Hayes, Andrew, Garrett, and Lane), and great-grandchildren (Autumn, Logan, Cedar, Jasmine, and Peyton). Allen is survived by his sister, LeRita Knight, along with his large and loving Gannon family.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, “Luke” Lucille LeMieux, infant great-granddaughter Paisley Jo Bennett, his parents David and Helen LeMieux, brothers Bob and Blaine LeMieux, sisters DeVona Blaisdell, Marian English, and Theresa Knutson.
Allen asked us to be fair, be kind and generous, and to love one another. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Allen’s favorite charities: Doctors Without Borders, 40 Rector Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10006, www.doctorswithoutborders.org or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453, www.operationsmile.org.
Dad’s prayer: “God Bless the World and All Those Who Are in It!”
A family mass is planned, and a public celebration is pending.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Bobbie Scott says
I was so sad to hear of Allen’s passing. What a kind, gentle soul. I enjoyed visiting with him when Luke was at Edgewood. My thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family.
Mary ( Laumeyer) Runkel says
Allen and Luke always had a smile or a word of encouragement for me as I was a teenager in Boulder. There home was filled with love and laughter and kindness for all. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time
Lea Opitz says
I am so so sorry you lost this wonderful kind amazing man! I loved him so much!!!
I loved the way he was with a young foal teaching it to have a saddle, teaching it anything, he was so patient and gentle. It was mesmerizing to watch…
Some times I think about if i ever came back, who i would love to be my parents, and the Lemieux’s are always on my list!!!
I love all of you kids of his! I had the best summers ever with your family and the Pallisters! We got to ride horses! And fish! And look for arrowheads and they were the dreamiest summers ever!!! I feel so very fortunate to have had your family in my life!!!
I still feel so close to all of you children of Allen and Luke! I love you so much! I am so so sorry you lost your sweet Daddy! He was the best Daddy ever!!! What a sad Christmas you have had 2 years in a row!!! I wish i could be there and hug you and cry with you and say goodbye.
I love you all!!! Peace and love from lea (lisa)
Janet Cunningham says
The Kramer family was touched by the love and generosity of Luke and Allen LeMieux too many times to list. My mother was always so grateful for their friendship. For me, I think being raised in a community with leaders like Allen shaped who I am and I often feel sad for my own children that they won’t know people like Allen. Hugs to all of you as you go through the process of saying goodbye. Peace LeMieux gang.
Janet (Kramer) Cunningham
Mary says
He was the best brother in law you could dream of having. Always willing to listen.💓
Lynn Price says
Smart, wise, funny, kind, artistic, and true to his beliefs and his family
Thank you , Allen.
Pamela Boeso says
Thought about you all last night my heart breaks for you but we all know Gods great promise of eternal life so we have extreme hope. John, Rita, Monica, David, Colette, Alex, Bernadette, Maria and Pierre your parents love shines through you, you have great shoes to fill but you are all up to the task!! I Love you and am praying for you during this time. Love, Pam
Pamela Boespflug says
Wrong name above.
Lani Jeffery aka Ammen family says
From the Ammen family
Luke and Allen were terrific friends and an extended family to the kids. Allen handled my parents law issues like adoptions. Luke babysit Lani when you still lived in town. God rest your souls.
Shellie Lee says
Beautiful tribute to Allen, a great man indeed.
Both Luke and Allen touched our lives over the years living in Boulder. We shared many meals and great meaningful conversations and connection. I am grateful to have had them in our lives. May the family find peace during this difficult time.
Many Blessings,
Shellie Lee
& Sunshine Health Mine Family
Sheila Lundgren Kramer says
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He sounds like an amazing man. I am James Kramer’s widow. Jim would always share memories and stories of the times spent growing up in Boulder and everything he did with the LeMieux family. He truly loved David and the rest of your family. He is probably reminiscing with your parents right now. I believe he thought of them as second parents to him. Thank you to all of you for help in shaping the man I loved for almost 29 years. Your parents definitely left a lasting impression on Jim and thus on myself and our children.
Sincerely,
Sheila Lundgren Kramer
Robin Jensen says
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was a rock. Always there. Everyone that grew up in Boulder became who they were under the direction that you Dad and Mom gave to all the children who passed through their circle. Your whole family has been an inspiration to many.
Blessings and Prayers,
Jim and Robin (Kramer) Jensen
jeff sherlock says
what a wonderful guy. In 1973, I was a college student. My summer job was to go to all 56 county seats to do research in the clerk of courts office. Everyone I met across the state was very nice, but Allen set a new standard. When he learned that a visitor was in the courthouse he came in,introduced himself and took me and my coworker home for lunch. He invited us for dinner as well, but we had to move on. A truly special man. Peace to his family.
Ann Kuntzweiler says
I remember meeting Allen when we first came to Boulder to make a decision about moving to Montana. He and his wife Luke, welcomed us, kids and all, into their home. They fed us, had us stay overnight and explained the virtues of living in the small town of Boulder. We had never met them before but their hospitality will always be remembered. When we left, they generously packed a bag of food for us to take on the road. That interaction played a major role in our decision to come to Boulder. My thoughts and prayers are with LeMieux family today – God bless you all and your dear parents too.
Laura Blaisdell says
Uncle Allen was a lovely man! He impressed me with his devotion to his faith and his family and his intellectual curiosity . He was unfailingly kind. And he was just so cute! Through him, I caught a glimpse of what my children’s great grandfather David LeMieux must’ve been like. I am so glad I was able to know him! Laura/Lori Blaisdell (Widow of Allen’s Nephew, John Blaisdell)
Sharon and Mark Redfern says
Miranda and Tanner, our sincere condolences on the loss of Miranda’s grandpa. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Janice Anderson says
Allen would stop in at the Monitor office periodically to share interesting news, often adding perspective to our work. A generous, kind man, he made Boulder better and left behind a caring family to carry on his example.
Gena Grund says
Rita and family, so sorry for the loss of your parents. They were very special. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dayle Williams says
Thoughts and prayers your way, always smile when you remember.