Joseph Patrick Lehnertz

Joseph Patrick Lehnertz, 71, of Livingston, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2014 at his home of natural causes. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory and a Celebration of Joes life will be held on Tuesday, December 2, from 2-4 P.M. at the Livingston Elks Lodge (130 S 2nd St). A Graveside committal and burial service will be held at the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel, Montana with full veterans honors at 11 A.M., Wednesday, December 3. We will meet locally at Franzen-Davis and proceed to the cemetery. Memorials are preferred to: Disabled Veterans of America, 3725 Alexandra Pike; Cold Spring, KY 41076. Joe was born on October 8, 1943, in Tyler, Minnesota. He was the son of Florian and Anne (Hurney) Lehnertz. The family relocated to the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area when Joe was young. He received his education in Sioux Falls attending St. Josephs Parochial School and was a graduate of the first class of OGorman High School in 1962. In 1963, Joe entered active duty military service in the United States Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. Joe initially served stateside as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) Elite Guard at Offutt AFB, NE. In 1966, he was deployed overseas serving as an Air Policeman patrolling the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone with his military working dog, Duke. Joe was honored by being awarded Airman of the year recognition and received an Honorable Discharge on March 23, 1967 in the rank of Airman First Class. Joe was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Joe was united in marriage to Connie Steichen in White Lake South Dakota on August 14, 1965. They began their lives together at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha Nebraska and their marriage was blessed with 2 daughters, Christine and Shannon. Joe and Connie resided in Sioux Falls following Joes discharge from the Air Force and Joe worked while he attended college classes. In 1971 the family made their ultimate home in Livingston, Montana. Joe was self-employed for many years as the owner of Yellowstone Concrete Service and also worked as a Big Game Outfitter in the Delphi Montana area. He was an auctioneer and often donated his time to benefit charity events. Joe and Connie shared 49 years of marriage. Joe was one of those guys who always had a story to tell and knew everyone in the room. It was said that he had never met a stranger. He loved to share good times with his friends at "board meetings" over coffee or cocktails. Joe was a charismatic gentleman, a family man and a true patriot dedicated to the wellbeing of his country. He adored his grandchildren and instilled in them the ethics of being respectable, honest citizens; always emphasizing the importance of respect for our country. He even tossed in his opinion by offering life and dating advice; always rendering a chuckle from the kids. Many of Chris and Shannon's friends will remember Joe as a father figure as well.Joe was a zealous outdoorsman. We remember him taking the family on camping trips, the girls on father-daughter horseback pack trips, and to father-daughter Girl Scout dances. He not only enjoyed hunting and fishing but he was really good at it. He made many fishing trips to Alaska for Halibut and Salmon and to Idaho to fish Steelhead on the Snake River. Joe also liked to travel. The "Old World", as he called Europe, was his favorite destination. He traveled to Germany often and was very proud when he found ancestors and living relatives in Ireland and Luxembourg. Joe was tremendously proud of his Irish heritage and was fortunate to have the opportunity to kiss The Blarney Stone. The fable goes that when you kiss the stone you are no longer a B.S.er but now an 'Eloquent Speaker'. We are blessed with the good times that were shared with Joe. He will be tremendously missed, but we are grateful for the part of him we carry with us. Joe is survived by his: Loving wife, Connie Lehnertz of Livingston. Daughter, Christine Treat and her husband Sam of Denver, CO and their daughter: Delaynie Treat; Daughter, Shannon Newell and her husband Larry of Billings, Shannons children: Taylor and Tanner Beld and Larrys Children and their families. Siblings, Mary Ann Holden and her husband Greg of Sioux City, IA; Peggy McKeown and her husband Gary of Brookings, SD and Michael Lehnertz and his wife Sandy of Colorado Springs, CO. Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews many other relatives and many, many friends. Joe is preceded in death by his Parents, Florian and Anne Lehnertz; Grandson, Sammy Treat who passed April 20, 2014; and his Brother, Jack Lehnertz. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. .