Jerry Lane Leiding

HAMILTON - Jerry Lane Leiding passed away on March 15, 2011 after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Jerry entered this world on January 30, 1942 at the family home in Hendley, Nebraska. He was the first born child and only son of Junior and Eleanor (Allender) Leiding. His first 15 years were spent attending school in Hendley and Beaver City, Nebraska, then joined his parents and two sisters in Lyons, Colorado where he graduated from Lyons High School. In 1966, Jerry married Ardith Lawrence of Louisville, CO. Together; they had two children, Mark and Kristine. Jerry and Ardith were married for seven years.

While living in Colorado, Jerry worked construction, rock quarry, and cement businesses. Jerry and his Cousin, Rodney Lemon owned and operated L and L Tree Service, based out of Hygiene, CO. In 1974 Jerry moved to St. Anthony, ID, where he operated a backhoe business with his father. After losing his home to the Teton Dam Disaster in 1976, he and his son moved to Corvallis, MT.

His years spent in Montana were very happy and special to Jerry because he had his son full time and his daughter during the summers. Jerry owned his own business, Leiding Tree Service until 1989. In 1984, Jerry met Heidi Strait, whom he would marry in 1992.

Following the loss of Jerry's father, he and Heidi moved to Boise, ID in 1989 to be closer to Jerry's family. In Boise, Jerry again owned and operated his own tree service and enjoyed trips to Jackpot and family get-togethers. In 2006, Jerry and Heidi returned to Hamilton, MT.

Jerry was self-employed most of his life and was hard-working, honest, loyal, forthright, caring, classy, dependable, intelligent, innovative, funny, and extremely charismatic. He was loved and respected by many people.

Jerry enjoyed working on old cars, collecting old American memorabilia, coins, dune-buggying with great friends, a good challenge, adventure, and telling jokes and laughing while having coffee at one of his favorite coffee shops with friends. He also loved his two Australian Shepherds, Molly and Pepsi.

One of Jerry's last wishes was to tell all of his friends and relatives in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Nebraska, "Thank you" for your love and prayers, your phone calls, visits, and, most of all, for caring about him. Over the course of Jerry's life, he has been blessed to meet some very amazing people that he called his friends. It is these friends and family that best define Jerry's life and he loved all of you who share him as a common bond. Jerry also wanted to thank Dr. Judy Schmidt and everyone at Guardian Oncology in Missoula, MT who provided exceptional care.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Heidi of Hamilton, MT; his son, Mark (CWO3, USMC); daughter-in-law, Anglia, and their sons Michael, Cameron, (Cpl, USMC) Jordan, and Zachery of Kansas City, MO; his daughter, Kristine and son-in-law, Dr. Richard RePass, MD and their two sons, John and Nathan of Victoria, MN. Jerry is also survived by his sister's Colleen Tyler and Clara Baxter, both of Boise, ID, and their families. He is also survived by many cousins with whom he had very close relationships.

The family requests that donations be sent in memory of Jerry to a cancer research center of your choice in lieu of flowers. A celebration of Jerry's life is planned for later this summer.