Leonard “Lenny” Filter, age 71, of Ethan died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Will Funeral Chapel with burial in the South Spencer Cemetery, Spencer. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Will Funeral Chapel.
Leonard Filter, son of Harold and Bernice (Warner) Filter, was born July 12, 1942 in Spencer. He grew up and received his schooling in the Spencer area and graduated from Spencer High School in 1960.
Leonard then joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1960 and remained in the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1966.
Leonard was united in marriage with Barb Nelson on Dec. 22, 1965. The couple made their home in Mitchell, Dimock and Ethan. Leonard was employed at DX-Texico, Larry Green Landscaping, Murtha Repair, Blasius Trucking and was employed for 34 years with South Dakota Concrete/Cretex in Mitchell.
Leonard was a member of the Ethan Fire Department and had served as Fire Chief. He enjoyed snowmobiles, hunting, fishing, racing, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Barb Filter, Ethan; five children, Lynna Rae Filter and Greg Isakson, Corsica, Todd Filter, Artesian, Brenda James and Bill Goldammer, Mt. Vernon, Randy and Tara Filter and Kari and Jesse Helma, Ethan; 21 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous brothers-in-law; a sister-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Tammy Kay and Kimberly Dee; his parents; a brother, Raymond Filter; his grandparents, Raymond and Dora Mae; his in-laws, Nels and Clara Nelson; and a brother-in-law,  Rocky Mundy.