Lennie Dismounts, age 65, of Huron, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home. His life was celebrated at 1:00 PM, Friday, December 7th at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial was in the Ideal Cemetery.
Leonard Samuel Dismounts Thrice was born on April 14, 1953, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Seth and Katherine (Chasing Horse) Dismounts. His earliest memories are of his days spent with his beloved grandmother, Sally Randall Bullman at Potato Creek. Though his years with her were short, he remembered them fondly and often attributed his strong work ethic to the days he spent picking potatoes alongside her. He moved back to Rapid City at age six where he attended grade school and learned English. Lennie excelled in sports at an early age. He loved playing and coaching baseball but his real love was basketball. He was a three-year starting guard for the Rapid City Central Cobblers under the direction of Coach Dave Strain. The memories of those "good ole" days were retold countless times by Lennie. After graduating from Rapid City Central High School in 1972, Lennie attended a number of collegiate institutions but never really found the right fit. He then tried his hand at construction for a time but found the railroad more to his liking. Lennie worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for almost 10 years. Lennie's parents taught him early in life that hard work and setting goals were key to succeeding in life.
The railroad was what brought Lennie to Huron in 1983. Lennie brought Mary Kay; his junior high sweetheart and now wife and their 9 year old daughter, Kristy with him. Shortly after moving to Huron, the railroad company disbanded and Lennie found work as a steel brake operator at Overbuilt. Lennie enjoyed life in Huron. He developed some great friendships and loved watching the Huron Tiger teams; especially basketball.
Lennie loved people. More often than not, whenever you saw Lennie on the street, he would have a coy smile on his face. But of all things in Lennie's life, his family was number one to him. He had three children; Kristy, Dan and Sarah. He loved being a dad and later a grandpa. One of the most exciting days of his life was the day his first granddaughter, Jade Cassidy, was born.
Along with his strong love for his family, Lennie also enjoyed tinkering with classic cars; watching the Oakland Raiders in the fall and NASCAR in the summer.
Lennie suffered two major strokes in the spring of 2016. He became a resident of Violet Tschetter Memorial Home where he received superior care. While a resident of VTMH he watched his youngest daughter get married at the facility and "strolled" her down the aisle. The birth of his second granddaughter and namesake, Lenora Adaline occurred during his time at VTMH as well.
Complications from diabetes were the main cause of Lennie's passing.
Lennie's infectious smile, sense of humor and "words of wisdom" will be greatly missed by Mary Kay, his wife and soulmate of 51 years; his children, Kristy (Bill) Smith of Huron; Daniel (KarriAnn) Dismounts of Sioux Falls and Sarah (Kyle) Dunn of Huron; his grandchildren, Jade Cassidy, Lenora Adaline and baby boy Dunn arriving in January of 2019; his brother, Seth "Marty" (Charlene) Dismounts of Rapid City; his sister, Sandi Schieberl of California; his brother, Sylvan Dismounts of Rapid City; and his sister-in-law, Lana (Allen) Willey of Huron.
Lennie was preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Ben and Randy Dismounts; sister-in-law, Theresa Green; three nieces, Patricia (PJ), Jenny and Kateri Dismounts; and his in-laws, George and Donna Hartzell.