Leonard Sigmund 1939-2026
Leonard Dale Sigmund, 86, of Lebanon, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2026.
He was born in Holton on Nov. 16, 1939, at 6 a.m. His father, Walter George Sigmund, was a farmer and his mother, Gwendolyn Esther (Hare), was a housewife.
They bought a farm in rural Circleville and Leonard spent most of his younger life there. His earliest memory was fishing in the pond on their farm. He was a farm boy through and through. He hunted rabbits, quail and squirrels. He played in the hay loft and gathered eggs. He helped put up hay on their farm and then helped neighbors put up their hay.
The grange hall organized coyote hunts about once a month to protect their animals. Leonard was usually hunting with them and thought it was a treat to eat lunches (which were usually hot dogs) prepared for them at the grange.
When asked if he had a happy childhood, he would say it was the best. Their lives revolved around the family. On Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and other highlights in the family it was common to have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins together for food and enjoyment. That was something he enjoyed in his adult life, as well. Having his family and friends come for holiday meals. That was a great joy for him.
In 1963, he was drafted into the Army. He went to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic training and ended up in Heidelberg, Germany, as a mechanic. He took the opportunity while he was there to visit other countries, like Austria and France, on his leaves. He was discharged in 1965. He returned to Oregon where he had just moved before he was drafted.
Leonard met his wife-to-be when she was working at the Hasty Freeze. He would drive around the lot in circles, buying something different every round, until he felt he could ask her for a date. He and Anne were married on May 12, 1967. Three years later, Vicki joined the family; three years after that, Jeff arrived, and three years later, Terri brought up the rear. Leonard loved his kids and wanted them to have fun times like he had as a child.
Leonard had already started rock collecting, thanks to his dad. He also loved hunting, fishing, gold panning and estate sales. Now to these activities were added camping, picnics and water skiing. Daughter Terri mentioned how she, Vicki and Jeff often got to invite people to these activities so you never knew how many people to expect each time. Leonard was happy being right in the middle of it.
Leonard joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it took him a while to make that decision. One night, he and the Spirit had a little talk. A day or so later, Leonard came home from work and asked Anne if the coming Saturday would be all right. When she asked him, “All right for what?” He replied, “My baptism.” So 27 years after Anne was baptized, so was he. They were sealed in the temple the next year.
He is survived by his wife, Anne (LaBlue) Sigmund; children, Vicki Hanley, Jeffrey Sigmund and Terri Teichroeb; grandchildren, Shelby (Hanley) and her husband John Fink, Maverick Giltamag, Brian Teichroeb, Bradley Teichroeb, Chyanne Hanley and Benjamin Teichroeb; bonus grandchildren, Billy Kooistra and Katy Kooistra; great-grandchildren, JJ Fink and FionaJo Fink; a sister, Phyllis (Sigmund) Shupe; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, Kelsey Hanley (2011).
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 31 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lebanon, Ore. Burial with military honors was held at Sand Ridge Cemetery in Lebanon. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
