Cover photo for Robert Leitheiser's Obituary
Robert Leitheiser Profile Photo
1922 Robert 2015

Robert Leitheiser

November 26, 1922 — March 3, 2015

Robert "Bob" Leitheiser, 92, of Detroit Lakes, passed away March 3, 2015 at Ecumen- Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 9 at 2PM in First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 8 at David Donehower Funeral Home from 5PM-7PM with a 7PM Prayer Service. Visitation will also continue at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will be held in the spring at Holy Rosary Cemetery. Robert was born November 26, 1922 in Detroit Township. He grew up in rural Detroit Lakes and worked for Land-O-Lakes and Coast to Coast store as a young man. He owned several different Harley Davidson motorcycles and enjoyed riding with his friends. On September 26, 1943 he was united in marriage to Leone M. Hanson of Westbury in Moorhead, MN. They made their home on West Avenue where Bob started his first small metal fabricating and repair shop. He also taught welding classes in Mahnomen and Fosston. In 1948 they moved to Richwood Road, where he founded Bob's Machine and Mfg. (EZ Roll Lakeshore Equipment). Bob and Leone retired in 1985 and built a home on West Pickerel Lake Road. Bob continued to build projects in his private shop ranging from birdhouses to four-wheel drive loaders. In the summer of 2014 they moved to Union Central in Detroit Lakes. Bob founded a local landmark business known throughout the Midwest for over 50 years. He was an early pioneer in the lakeshore/boating industry and was one of first boat lift, pontoon & paddleboat producers in the country. He designed and built a very early snowmobile when the concept was still in its infancy. He also designed and produced one of the first power ice augers on the market. He loved mechanical technology and always sought ways to improve on a product or item. In his younger years Bob enjoyed elk hunting in Montana along with deer and grouse hunting locally. Bob and Leone were well-traveled throughout North America and Europe but they were most comfortable in the wooded surroundings of their country home. He served in the Knights of Columbus and was on the Holy Rosary Parish council for several years. Bob and Leone remained happily married for 71 years and their commitment to each other was truly inspiring to their family and friends.

Robert is survived by his wife Leone of Detroit Lakes, sons: Merlin (Connie) Leitheiser of Sauk Rapids, Dean (Janet) Leitheiser, Larry Leitheiser, and daughter: Linda (Arnie) Kiehl all of Detroit Lakes along with 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Alice Leitheiser, step-mother: Irene Leitheiser, one sister: Corrine Lenhoff and one brother: Maurice.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, March 8, 2015
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
David-Donehower Funeral Home

609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Prayer Service begins at 7:00

Service
Monday, March 9, 2015
2:00 PM
First Lutheran Church

912 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service.


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