Leonard Hedlund

Leonard Hedlund
Leonard Hedlund

Leonard Hedlund, age 79 of Tonasket, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at his home in Tonasket. He was born in Burke, South Dakota on June 8, 1936, the youngest of five children to parents Edna and Emil Hedlund.

During the war time they migrated west working various jobs along the way to end up in Renton, Wash., where Leonard started the first grade. At the age of seven his father passed away. As a young teenage boy, because of problems with asthma, he moved back to Nebraska to live with Ed and Joyce Hedlund, his brother and sister-in-law. While there he worked for Mr. Purdy at his service station, which later led to his passion for automobiles.

After a couple of years he came back to attend Kent Meridian High School. He then went to work for Boeing, worked as a lineman for the telephone company and became an electrical contractor. He then started searching for a way to move to the east side of the mountains, which lead to Republic as he had heard there was a Chevrolet Dealership for sale. Upon arriving in Republic he learned it had sold, but was told about a dealership in Tonasket owned by Bynum Robbins. In 1973 he sold his electrical company, loaded up the truck and moved the family to Tonasket, becoming a Chevrolet Dealer.

Throughout the years he raised his family, enjoyed a large circle of friends, built up a successful business, and was a huge supporter of the community.

On May 2, 1981 Leonard married Donna blending two families together, sharing his love and his humor with not only his family but all of his friends. His wit and wisdom is legendary.

In 1973 he opened the doors of Hedlund Chevrolet, Inc. in his new home in Tonasket thus beginning his zest for community involvement. Leonard was a member of Washington State Auto Dealers Association. He was Santa Claus for many years always amazing children by knowing their names and possibly something about them that Santa wasn’t supposed to know. He served a Civil Service Chairman for many years, was a member of the Masons, Shriner, Kiwanis and Eagles. He was always supportive of school activities, buying basketballs, dinners for the teams that went to State, a vehicle to take kids to the Math Olympiad, as well as a chaperone, arranged a bus to take fans to the State Championship Football Game in Tacoma, the Tonasket Comancheros Pony Express Ride, the list is endless. If you needed it call Leonard.

Our community and our world is a better place because of him. He will be missed by all.

Surviving Relatives include his wife, Donna F. Hedlund; children: John (Jack) Laurence Hedlund, Jean; Janet Leeann (Hedlund) Wahl, Loren; Annette Farver, Dave; Shannon McKinney and Janet Hedlund; brother: Virgil Hedlund (Delores); sister-in-law: Joyce Hedlund;

numerous nieces and nephews; grandchildren: Jennifer Hedlund, Jackie (Hedlund) Tyler and Keith, Jamie Hedlund, Jeri (Hedlund) Timm, and Carson, Jessie Hedlund, Nick Farver and (Isabel), Tyler Farver, Jason McKinney, Jeremy McKinney, Grant and (Erryn) Leavell, Lee and (Rebecca) Leavell; great grandchildren: Landon and Lauren Farver and Paisley Tim.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Don and Ed; a sister, Virginia; two sons, Jim Hedlund and Duane McKinney and a dear uncle, Reimon (Ray) Hedlund.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Tonasket Cemetery. Memorial Services to follow at 3 p.m. at the Oroville Trinity Episcopal Church with the Reverend Marilyn Wilder and Aurora Lodge #201 officiating, this will be followed by a luncheon and gathering at the Tonasket Eagles.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in his honor, to the Tonasket Pool Project or the charity of your choice.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket is in care of arrangements.