On Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, we lost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend due to complications from vascular dementia and stroke. LeRoy Kirschenmann peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family.

Lee was born on Oct. 28, 1934, in Burnstad, N.D., to John and Frieda Kirschenmann. In 1935, they moved to the Hardin, Mont., area. He came from a very musical family and played trumpet while attending Hardin High School. He graduated in 1952 and shortly afterward joined the U.S. Air Force with a few of his buddies. He was stationed at George AF Base in California when he met Virginia Griffith. They married in 1954 in Pasadena, Calif., and were blessed with six children. In boot camp, everyone who played a musical instrument was told to "go over there." Thus began a great 21-year career in the U.S. Air Force Band playing trumpet until his retirement as master sergeant in 1973. While in the band, he played on the Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan shows, at Carnegie Hall, for the King of Thailand and USO shows around the world. After retiring from the Air Force, the family moved to Billings, where he began a second 21-year career at the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1994. In August of 1995, he married Susan Simmons and welcomed two stepchildren. They had a beautiful 18 years together until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, of Billings; children, Pam (Larry) Resch, Mike (Rene') Kirschenmann, Debbie (Bill) Mauthe, Patti (Rob) Monaco, Peggy (Larry) LeBrun; stepchildren, Kristine (David) Wagner and Greg Simmons; grandchildren, Kristin (Nick) Fearon, Kelsey Resch, Trevor (Marki) Kirschenmann, Trent (Laura) Kirschenmann, Taryn (Jonathan) Bauwens, Sarah Mauthe, Jenni and Hailey Monaco, Tiffany (Tyler Hansen) LeBrun, Justin and Madison LeBrun, Tommy Highsmith, Breanna Wagner, Lisa (Armando) Davila, Richard Kirschenmann and Betsy (Kam) Kang; along with numerous great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Eugene (Ruthie), Delores (Ed) Anderson, Darlene (Marlin) Anderson, Priscilla (Phil) Newell, Annabelle (Darrel) Snyder and Johnny (Christy).

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia; son, Rick; great-granddaughter, Kinlee Hansen; and his parents, John and Frieda.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth St. W., Billings, with the Rev. Phil Newell officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank the physical and occupational teams at Aspen Meadows and Billings Health and Rehab, with a very special thank you to Nadine, Lori, Kathy and Richard at Rocky Mountain Hospice and the team at Premier Home Care for their excellent, compassionate care. If desired, memorials in Lee's honor may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice or a charity of your choice.

We will always love and miss you, Lee!

Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Billings Gazette on Nov. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for LeRoy Kirschenmann

0 Entries

Be the first to post a memory or condolences.

Make a Donation
in LeRoy Kirschenmann's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for LeRoy Kirschenmann

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Billings Cremation & Burial Services

29 8th Street West, Billings, MT 59101

How to support LeRoy's loved ones

Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.