LEON A. TIMBOE

Leon A. “Chief” Timboe, 92, life-long Devils Lake resident and former Devils Lake Police Chief passed away on Monday afternoon, February 9, 2015 at the Heartland Care Center in the care of his beloved family and Altru Hospice. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Leon Aldred, son of Leander and Alpha (Jensen) Timboe was born on August 29, 1922 in Devils Lake, ND. He lived his entire life in Devils Lake except while serving in the military. Leon attended country school in Penn, then entered the United States Army, on November 20, 1940 and served his country during World War II. He served with the 164th Infantry in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater as a truck driver and later had special training as a Medic. He was honorably discharged, Christmas Eve in 1945 with the rank of Technician 5th Grade. After discharge, Leon returned to Devils Lake and worked at McHugh’s Garage and the Deep Rock Service Station. He was united in marriage to his beloved Mary M. Heilman on September 23, 1947 at Devils Lake and they lived, worked, raised their family and enjoyed over 61 years of love and marriage before her death on May 19, 2009. Eventually Leon entered Law Enforcement and was a patrolman for the City of Devils Lake and then served as the Police Chief for 16 years, retiring in 1976. As a patrolman, many of his working hours were “walking the beat”. Leon knew everyone and their kids and everyone knew him. Leon was always a positive influence in the lives of young people and a role model as a wonderful husband and father. He was a good provider for his family and even worked a second job as a truck driver for Gamble-Robinson for several years. After retirement, Leon worked for 10 years for IF LaFleur. Leon spent his life in service to his country, his community and his family. He was always looking to make life better and easier for others. That was his theme for many of his inventions, bringing a smile to others by playing the accordion and harmonica, as a member of the VFW and Odd Fellows, and helping his wife care for her flowers and the award winning Yard of the Week. He was a great historian and could tell you the events of each year of his youth through adulthood and maybe that was because he kept such good notes on his hand and arm instead of on paper. He did have a few hobbies such as motorcycles as a young man, getting his pilot’s license, furniture upholstery work, watching boxing every chance he could and doing crossword puzzles. Leon was a people person. Always visiting, telling a joke and stories and he never met a stranger. He was truly loved and respected by all who knew him. Leon is survived by his children Betty (Robert) Johnson, Devils Lake, James McCanna, Las Vegas, NV, Richard (Sylvia) Timboe, Minot and Robert Timboe, Devils Lake; nine grandchildren Julie Schlieve, Devils Lake, Melanie (Glen) Klinkhammer and Travis (Megan) Johnson all of Fargo, Cheryl McCanna and Greg McCanna of Las Vegas, Kellen Timboe, Australia, Ryan Timboe, Minneapolis, Shane Timboe, Chicago and Kori Ward, Washington; ten great grandchildren Chelsie, Bethany and Riley Schlieve, Taylor Ring, Zack and Kaden Klinkhammer, Mallory and Larkin Johnson, Emma Timboe and Shane Timboe Jr.; sister-in-law Rose Heintz, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother Leona Timboe; wife Mary and half sister Judith. Casket Bearers will be Chuck Paukert, Jack Chatt, Glen Klinkhammer, Jerry Heintz, Ryan Timboe, Shane Timboe Jr. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Reading the Scriptures will be Sylvia Timboe and Gift Bearers will be Chelsie and Bethany Schlieve and Taylor Ring. A special tribute to Leon will be given by Rick LaFleur