Leonard Arnold Hamberger

Leonard Arnold Hamberger was born on Saturday, February 14, 1925 in Scotland, South Dakota to Robert and Pauline (Vilhauer) Hamberger. He married Elsa Oliva Retzer on February 8, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa; to this union six children were born. He worked for Allen (Shorty) Serr Repair as a mechanic before serving in WWII in the 355Th Army Air Force.  After the service, he went to work on the Gavin’s Point Dam.  Leonard served as Bon Homme County Treasurer; after his term in office he worked at the Scotland Creamery as a truck driver and mechanic. He also worked for the South Dakota Dept. of Transportation (Bon Homme County), as mechanic and truck driver until he retired.  For many years after his retirement, he had a small engine repair business and also taught small engine repair at the local high school.  To keep busy after he sold his business, he managed the Scotland rubble site and enjoyed visiting with everyone.  Leonard was a long time member of the Scotland Fire Department, American Legion and VFW. Leonard’s hobbies included fishing, chopping wood, working on anything that moved, and being with grandkids and great grandkids. He passed away after a brief bout with cancer on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 6 days.
Leonard is survived by three daughters: Carol Merrill of Fairfield, California and Dianne (Terry) Simantel and Linda Fuerst, all of Scotland; seven grandchildren: Oliver (Teresa) Merrill, Jr., Chad (Christy) Simantel, Christopher (Jill) Simantel, Angela (Trent) Furney, Michael (Holly) Fuerst, Becky (Michael) Rose and Amanda (Darin) Ziegler; fourteen great-grandchildren; two sisters Evelyn Van de Car and Donna (Junior) Meiers; and one brother Thomas (Hanhee) Hamberger.
Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Elsa in 2006; three infant children: Betty in 1947, David in 1949, and Tim 1953; his parents; and two sons-in-law, Oliver Merrill, Sr. and John Fuerst.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Benedict Hospice, c/o Avera St. Benedict Health Center, 401 W. Glynn Dr., PO Box B, Parkston SD 57366-0820.