Dr. Kermit Leonard, 85, Garrison, died Saturday, April 19, 2008, in a Bismarck hospital. Memorial services will be held on Monday, April 28, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Garrison. Burial will be held at Bassett Memorial Park in Bassett, NE.
Visitation will be held today (Tuesday, April 22) from noon to 8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.
Dr. Leonard was born May 30, 1922, in Long Pine, NE, to Louis and Alma (Patitz) Leonard. At the age of 6 he moved with his family to Bassett, NE. He graduated from Rock County High School. He then attended Wayne State Teachers College and the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. He then moved to Portland, OR, and interned at Emmanuel Hospital.
While interning in Portland he met Francine King. They were married on June 11, 1947, in Olympia, WA. They remained in Portland and Dr. Leonard entered the U.S. Army Air Force in the fall of 1947. He served a hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, as the head of the O.B. GYN. Department. After being discharged in 1951 the family moved to Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD, where he again was the head of O.B. GYN. They then moved to Omaha, NE, where he was a resident in surgery at the University of Nebraska. Following his residency they moved to Astoria, OR, where they lived for 5 years before moving to Garrison in 1962. Dr. Leonard served the Garrison Hospital until his retirement in 1997. He worked in all facets of the hospital and clinic. He also delivered many babies in his 35 years.
Dr. Leonard was a member of the Shriners Club, Lions Club and the Royal Jesters. He was also a life member of the Elks Lodge in Astoria, OR. He was very active in his community and also liked to play golf and fish.
Dr. Leonard is survived by: his wife, Francine, Garrison, ND; sons, Jim Leonard, Portland, OR, Bruce Leonard, Greenville, NC; brothers, Dr. Kenneth Leonard, Rapid City, SD, Klane (Getha) Leonard, Bassett, NE; nieces, Sharon Leonard, Rapid City, SD, Elaine (Brian) Beuscher and their children, Alexander and Elizabeth, Omaha, NE; nephew, Kurt (Brandy) Leonard, Bassett, NE; cousin, Joe Ross (Elsie) Leonard, Bassett, NE.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 infant brothers, Quentin and Vincent.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Lions Eye Bank or to a Shriners Hospital.
