Leonard "Lenny" Sanftner

Leonard Ray Sanftner better known as “Lenny” or “Len” was born on March 7, 1947, to Florence Marie (Weis) and Leonard Ambrose Sanftner in Kadoka, South Dakota.

Leonard attended all 12 years of school in Belvidere and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1965. He attended Black Hills State College majoring in Engineering, and minoring in Industrial Arts and Journalism.

On March 25, 1967, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ruby Buxcel, in Belvidere. They moved to Cokato, Minnesota where they raised their family that consisted of three children: Tina, Terry, and Tim.

While in Cokato, he worked for Mattson Building and Supply Inc. as a draftsman, estimator, and design operator. In 1969 the family moved to Norris where they operated the Norris Pool Hall. In 1971 they moved back to Cokato and he again worked for Mattson Building and Supply, Inc. He and a friend started a construction company which they managed for two years. He also worked for Raydot, Inc. as a production manager. In 1999 Leonard and Ruby moved to Kadoka, and he took over his father’s Contracted Mail Routes. He acquired two more mail routes and has been running them ever since.

Leonard was active in his children’s sports such as youth hockey, AAU swimming, and any other sports his children were involved with. He was an EMTI and volunteered on the ambulance service in Minnesota for 20 years. He was also active in OLV Catholic Church and was a member of the city council. He was a Mason, Shriner, Jester, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

His greatest love was his John Deere tractor that he finally persuaded Ruby to let him purchase. He enjoyed mowing yards and would often be seen at OLV Church, the Kadoka Nursing Home, the Masonic Hall, and of course his own property, keeping the yards looking nice. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting.

Len always enjoyed a good story and a good laugh.

Survivors include his wife Ruby of Kadoka; one daughter, Tina (Randy) Long of New Braunfels, TX; two sons, Terry (Julie) Sanftner of Minneapolis, MN, and Tim Sanftner of Kadoka; four grandchildren, Tejai and Ryder Sanftner, Stephanie Long, and Lauren (Corbin) Simonson; one great-granddaughter Ella June Simonson; one brother Jerry (Angela) Sanftner of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial is established to Assisting Children to Smile and the OLV elevator fund. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 243, Kadoka, SD 57543.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with an Eastern Star and Masonic service at 5 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 1, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Interment will be held at the Belvidere Cemetery in Belvidere.

Service Details

VISITATION
5-7 p.m. with an Eastern Star
& Masonic service at 5 p.m. with a
prayer service at 7 p.m.
Monday, January 1, 2018
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, January 2, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Tyler Dennis
assisted by Deacon Cal Clifford

MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell - Pianist
Our Lady of Victory Music Group
“Amazing Grace”
“Here I Am Lord”
“Thou the Mountains May Fall”
“Joy To The World”

LECTOR
Cindy VanderMay

USHERS
Joe Stoddard - Mark VanderMay

GIFT BEARERS
Chuck and Janet VanderMay

ALTAR SERVERS
Todd VanderMay - Tel VanderMay

INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota

Guest Book

Flowers