KIEMELE, Leonard Samuel 1936 – 2020

Kiemele, Leonard Samuel, of Vulcan (formerly of Milo), beloved husband of Irene, passed away peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Centre on August 21, 2020 at the age of 83 years.

Leonard was born October 6, 1936 in Bassano, AB to George and Sadie Kiemele, the oldest of 6 children. His siblings were Grace, Irene, Marie, Charlie and Leona. They also had 11 half brothers and sisters from previous marriages.

Leonard received his formal education in Majorville and Milo schools. He was always a hard worker and besides farming at his home, he worked for several neighbors. He and a friend harvested crops as far north as Drumheller for a couple years. With two of his brothers, he spent a few winters clearing brush and trees for oil well sites near Drayton Valley and Leduc.

At a dance in Armada in 1959, Leonard met a school teacher, Irene Kunkel from the Armada/Lomond district. They were married on March 27, 1961. They lived on the farm where Leonard was raised. They had 3 three children – Kevin, Sue and Kari.

Over the years, his farming operation expanded to more land bought and much more rented. At one time, Leonard, Kevin and a couple hired men farmed up to 1000 acres. Besides farming, Leonard worked many jobs. He did mechanic work at a garage in town, did commercial fishing on Lake McGregor and built steel bins for the UFA, just to name a few.He could fix anything. He said “if man made it, man could fix it”, and he did!

Leonard enjoyed hunting and was a very good shot. In 1998, Leonard retired from farming and bought their present home in Vulcan. Leonard moved to the Vulcan Long Term Care Unit on January 23, 2017 and kept the nurses and staff on their toes with his wit and great sense of humor.

Leonard is survived by his wife Irene, son Kevin (Sherry), daughters Sue and Kari (Doug), grandkids Kara and family, Courtney, Dylan, brothers Charlie (Gail) and Ernest (Laura), sisters Marie (Ken) Sealock, Leona Stringer, Irene Primrose and Florence Hunt and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brother-in-law Bob Kunkel and sister-in-law Lois Kiemele. Leonard was predeceased by his mother Sarah (Sadie) Kiemele, father George Kiemele, brothers – Ted, Harry, George, Dave, Raymond, Jack and Fred, sisters Anne and Grace, son-in-law Earl Alcock, granddaughter Elisha Kiemele, grandson Justin Kiemele, brothers-in-law Steve Varga, Donnie Primrose and Randy Stringer.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the Vulcan United Church, Sue MacDonald, D.M. officiating. Inurnment Vulcan Cemetery Columbarium.

Any tributes in Leonard’s memory can be made to the Vulcan Community Health Centre Long Term Care Unit, Box 299, Vulcan, AB, T0L 2B0 OR to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, 1331 – 29 St. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N2.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.