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Leland Alfred Ohrt, 91

Leland Alfred Ohrt, 91, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away at home on the morning of June 26, 2018, after a short illness. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dad was born on a farm in Reinbeck, Iowa, on Nov. 20, 1926, to Alfred Ohrt of Reinbeck and Ethel Shepard of Georgia. The family left the farm in 1934 and moved to Long Beach, Calif. Dad graduated from David Starr Jordan High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy in October of that year. He enlisted for the duration of the war. He trained as a tail gunner in PBY airplanes. He was discharged after the war ended.

Leland found work in the Navy shipyards where he met Dolores, and they were later married on Aug. 6, 1948. Leland and Dolores had two children, Dale and Eileen.

Leland worked many different types of jobs over the years, from route sales, insurance sales (including his own agency), railroad car man; whatever he needed to do to keep us going. He retired in 1987 after 20 years with the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Company as a supervisor in the data processing department.

After retirement, Leland and Dolores built a house and retired to Sonora, Calif. Life was good. After Dolores died in 1996, Dad met and married Helen, also of Sonora. They soon relocated to Hayden. They lived for many happy years in Leisure Park. Helen died in 2013.

Over the years, Leland has had many different interests and hobbies, most of which were self-taught. He has done things such as oil painting, raised orchards, built numerous wood furniture projects, had a photography darkroom in the garage, camped with tents in the early days and later in the comfort of an RV, and he enjoyed fishing. He always seemed to have the right, clever solution to the current problem.

He was a member of several social groups in the Hayden area including the Welcomers’ Group and the Good Sam Club among others. One of his proudest accomplishments was his woodcarvings, some of which won ribbons. We believe that was his most loved hobby.

Leland and Dolores fulfilled Dad’s love of trains, especially steam, by becoming docents at the California State Park at Railtown near Sonora. Dad volunteered in the shop, doing the work necessary to restore the rail cars, and becoming the conductor on train rides.

As we remember Dad, a very central and important part of his life was his Christian faith, and his belief in Jesus as his personal savior. Dad was invited to be saved by a pastor standing on the roof of a snack bar at a drive-in movie, and he never looked back. He forever looked forward to his day in Heaven. We celebrate this time of his rebirth with the Lord.

Leland is survived by his son, Dale; Dale’s wife, Ann; Leland’s daughter, Eileen and her husband, Karl. Leland had five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. This organization was a huge part of the final days of our father. Their support for our father and our family was truly a blessing.

A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at Yates Funeral Home – Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Please visit Leland’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.