Danny Raymond Lechner

'Bruno'

Born on Oct. 14, 1953, to Marcus J. and Corinna M. (Walker) Lechner, Dan left this world at age 54 on Monday, May 19, 2008, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He showed us what tough really is and we all feel so blessed to have been a part of his life. He was one of the good ones; we are heartbroken to say goodbye.
Dan grew up on Dorothy Lane in Billings Heights. He graduated from Senior High School in 1971 and set out on his path to become a master carpenter working for the Sheridan brothers, Bob Madsen and Ray Tucker, to name a few. There are many homes, beautiful cabinets and pieces of furniture in the Billings area that he created. In 1995, he had the opportunity to take on a new challenge as Manager of Maintenance for Huntley Project Schools, a job which he dedicated himself to until his retirement.
A memorable wedding on Oct. 22, 1976, marked the beginning of 31 years of marriage to Teresa Vap. They rescued the old Congregational Church in Pompeys Pillar and made it into their home. Dan was always amazed that he had the good fortune to be blessed with daughters Amanda (28) and Jessica (21), who filled his life with love and activity. He introduced them at an early age to his favorite pastime - fishing. Dan purchased a jet boat when first diagnosed, refurbished it and was able to squeeze in a few fishing trips. He also taught the girls to hunt along with Molly, his beloved black lab.
This journey brought some wonderful people into our lives. We don't have the words to express the gratitude felt for Dr. David Christianson and his caring staff at Hematology Oncology, the kind caregivers at St. Vincent's Healthcare who nursed him in his last weeks, the overwhelming support and generosity of his coworkers, his fishing buddies who took him out at every opportunity, and finally his family and faithful friends who never left his side.
The survivors include his wife, Teresa; daughters Amanda and Jessica; sister Marie Hailstone, her husband Howard and their son Adam with wife Kyla and children Andrew, Madison and Taya, all of Billings; brother Larry and wife Beth of Boise, Idaho; youngest sister Lorrie and husband John Inge with their children Marcus and Victoria, all of Bellingham, Wash.; his Lechner uncles and aunts include Charlie and Ruth, Ted and Patty, Karl and Elaine, Bev Lechner, Ruth Weinfurter and Katherine Haaland; many cousins are included in the clan. Dan's in-laws are Archie and Betty Vap of Billings; Sue Vap and Jake Jacobsen of Boise; Dennis and his wife Sue along with Cody and Dustin of Billings; Kitty and Bob Campagna with girls Ceci, Michelle and Stephanie of Silverdale, Wash. Dan's parents preceded him in death, along with his mother-in-law Phyllis Vap, aunt Mary Baker and uncles John and Jim Lechner and Earling Haaland.
There will be closed casket visitation at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m., at the Huntley Project High School gymnasium in Worden. Lunch will follow. Cremation will take place and interment will take place at a later date in the Pleasantview Cemetery in Ballantine.
Memorials to honor Dan may be made to Ross McElvain Fund at Stockman Bank of Worden. Ross is a 22-year-old Huntley Project graduate who is fighting his own battle with pancreatic cancer. So go with God, Bruno, and catch that sneaky "big one."
Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences may be made to the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.