Leon Aldentaler Obituary

Britton, SD: The memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Leon Aldentaler will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2025 at St. John de Britton Catholic Church in Britton. Rev. Fr. Ken Lulf will celebrate the mass. Inurnment will be in the Britton Cemetery under the direction of Olson Funeral Chapel.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Leon Henry Aldentaler, 81, passed away after a brief illness at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD on July 16, 2025. The first born to Leo and Coletta (Steiner) Aldentaler, Leon arrived in Webster, SD on May 6, 1944. He was raised with his brothers and sisters on the family farm "up in the hills" near Eden, SD. He joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany as a radio operator. After he returned home, he married Anita Rose Birchem on June 29, 1968 and they raised four children together in Britton, SD.
Leon began driving truck for nearby farmers and eventually began driving long haul for Melroe, manufacturer of Bobcats, out of Gwinner, ND. With farming in his blood, Leon maintained a small herd of cattle and pasture land. As their family grew, Leon and Anita's farming operation also grew. Soon Leon and his oldest son, Glen, were raising a lot of cattle and growing crops.
After thirty years of driving and farming, Leon and Anita were forced into early retirement for health reasons. During their retirement, they were able to spend time at their property in West Port, WA. They spent time crabbing, clamming, fishing, beach combing, wild berry picking and entertaining friends and family. For over forty years, a large garden was planted, and they spent hours canning, pickling and freezing their produce.
Leon was a collector. He was, of course, passionate about Bobcats but also Allis-Chalmers, collecting tractors and farm toys. Leon was an avid reader all of his life and read the Green Sheet, farm magazines and books. It is safe to say he found the most enjoyment driving around the countryside looking at cows, calves and crops.
Leon is preceded in death by his wife of over fifty years, his parents, several brothers- and sisters-in-law, one niece and two nephews.
Leon will be missed by his children, Shelly (Dan) Brickey, Glen (Melinda) Aldentaler, Kurt (Jessica) Aldentaler, and Ross (Angela) Aldentaler; his grandchildren Konner (Katie) Brickey, Josie Brickey, Hailey (Karsten) Stiegelmeier, Garrett, Ben and Samual Aldentaler, Hazel Grace and Eden Anita Aldentaler and Quentin Bauer; and his great grandson Lincoln Stiegelmeier; brothers Angelo (DeLaine) Aldentaler, Charles Aldentaler, and Adam (Shari) Aldentaler; sisters LuAnn (Mark) Van den Berg and Ella (Bill) Kassube; many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, friends and special cousin Maddy Smith who called him almost every night.
Leon's family would like to thank the Britton Ambulance Service, the staff at Marshall County Hospital, and the staff at McKennan Hospital for the care he received during his illness.
Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Ross Aldentaler – PO Box 560 – Britton, SD 57430.
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