Leslie James Simkins (88) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 18, 2021, in Helena, MT.
Born June 16, 1932, Lewistown, MT to Leslie Roe and Margarite Simkins.
He graduated from St. Leo’s High School in 1950.
Attended Gonzaga University, served in the Navy during the Korean War, was employed by the VA Fort Harrison and attended Kinman Business College.
He married Kim Holdgrafer in 1955 and together they raised six children. He was employed by the State of Montana for 28 years and started the family business Leslie’s Hallmark and retired after 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Eveyln (Toots), Betty, Patrica (Jim), Shirley, brothers Clint and Bob, and his grandson Mark James (MJ).
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kim, and his children Dave (Colleen), Christy Fuller (Ray), Mark (Kathy), John (Becky), Jim (Linda), Tracy Greene, as well as 20 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A special thanks to Dr. Weiner and the Cancer Treatment Center staff, Frontier Home Health and Angel Care.
Viewing will begin at 5 p.m. and the Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 22nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. Masks will be required for both services. Memorials may be made to Forever MJ #18 Scholarship, UM Western Foundation 710 S. Atlantic Street, Dillon, MT 59725.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Monday March 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Mass
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Rite of Committal
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Monday March 22, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Mass
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Rite of Committal
Tuesday March 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sister Marie Doubek says
Dear Kim and Family,
I will keep Les in my prayers daily. I will pray for all of you as I know how difficult this is for you. He was such a good man. I will be sending a card and to express my condolences more personally. God bless all of you and may Our Lady place you under Her mantle of comfort. Sending my love,
Sister Marie Gabrielle and the Daughters of Mary
John & Cherie Dahl says
Our thoughts and prayers 🙏 go out to the family. John was a good friend of Les from our days working at the Highway Department.
Annie (Doubek) Young says
Dear Kim and Family,
I’m sorry to hear of Les’s passing, I know you will all miss him so much. He was a wonderful husband, father, friend. May God bless you in your mourning and celebrate the joyful memories together.
With love and prayers;
Annie (Doubek) Young
Georgetown Lake
Mary Phelps says
Dearest Dave & Family
Charlie and I are so very sorry to hear of your wonderful Dads passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Lea at the Highway Dept. He was always so kind and fun to be around. Please know you have our loving thoughts with you during this very difficult time.
Mary Phelps says
Dearest Dave & Family
Charlie and I are so very sorry to hear of your wonderful Dads passing. I had the great pleasure of working with Les at the Highway Dept. He was always so kind and fun to be around. Please know you have our loving thoughts with you during this very difficult time.
Skip & Lynda Hatveldt says
Dave-
Our heart goes out to you, Coleen and the Simkins family for the loss of your father Les.
Wishing you peace and comfort in loving memories forever. God bless.
Dolores Schuh, CHM says
Dear Kim,
I was so distraught when I got word from Pat Landers Zinneker that Les had died. I have the wonderful picture of your whole family on my bulletin board and was so happy to reconnect with Les after about 70 years! Now Paul Ployhar and I are the only two left in our 1950 graduating class of eight!
Be assured that you and the family are in my prayers. I know that after 66 years of marriage, this loss must be devastating.
Blessings on all of you.
Janet Riis says
I’m any prayers are being said for your family- take care of yourselves now and in the coming months.
Doug and Deb Kralicek says
Dave,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your dad. Know that Doug and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Dave Lewis says
Les was my trainer when I went to work in Budget Offuce in 1973. What a wonderful patient man. Wonderful family and a great life. Go in peace old friend.
Dave Lewis says
Les was my trainer when I went to work in Budget Office in 1973. Wonderful patient man. A good life and great family.
Dave Lewis says
Les trained me in computer spread sheets. As you can see by my duplicate posts, I still do not understand technology. I know he would understand.
Mike & Diana Hall says
John, Becky & family,
May the Lord put His loving arms around you and bring comfort. Hugs & Prayers.
Pat Reichert says
Dear Simkins Family,
As a cousin of the Liebergs, I grew up around the most of the original Simkins 7 siblings (Betty was my aunt). What an amazing family those 7 siblings created. I did not know Les as well as the others, but I know the the quality of their hearts. I was so sorry to hear of Les’ passing. I pray that your family finds peace in the knowledge that Les has been united with his parents, siblings and all the others who have passed. A generation gone but not forgotten.
Patty Lieberg Reichert
Bridget Holland says
Kim – Dave and all –
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss.
Charline Lawrence says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Hold tight to all the wonderful memories you have made with him.
Bobb and Char Lawrence
Dawn Hicks-Meier says
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I will never forget all the values I learned working for you all. Your dad was the kindest man I knew and I still thank him today for getting me where I am. Let God wrap his healing arms around you and your family.
Dawn Hicks-Meier
Sister Mary Rachel Flynn, SCL says
Kim and family, I thank our God for the gift of Les–to your family as well as to all of us who knew him. A loving, Faith-filled man. Our sister, Judy Fechter, sent the obituary to me and to Charley (McCarthy) today, March 23. Know that you, Kim, and all who love Les are remembered in prayer. We know that he is with our God and that his love is with all who love him.
Maureen Therese Doubek says
Dear Simkin Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Les was a good man. I will be praying for your family.