Henry Lechler

GLENDIVE, MONTANA; Henry L. Lechler, 85, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive, Montana. Visitation was from 12:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Graveside services with military honors were held at 11:00 A.M. (CST), Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, North Dakota. A LIfe Tribute Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive with Celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with the arrangements. Henry was born on July 10, 1923 the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Kremers) Lechler. He was raised and educated in the Golva, North Dakota area.. On February 19, 1943, at the age of 19, Henry entered the United States Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Henry received his honorable discharge from military service at Camp Patrick, Virginia. Henry worked as a farm laborer for 20 years, after which he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for 23 years until his retirement. Henry lived in the Wibaux, Montana area before moving to the Eastern Montana Veterans home, in Glendive where he resided until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Theodore, August and Benjamin. Henry is survived by one sister, Agnes Muller of Lynch, Nebraska. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com. Henry L. Lechler Life Tribute Service October 16, 2008 Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home, Glendive, Montana Welcome: Master of Ceremony Opening: Celebrant Yesterday, a committal service with military honors for Henry Lechler was held at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, North Dakota. The flag you see folded here today was presented by the North Dakota Honor Guard for Henry’s service to these United States. Today, we gather to remember a life lived. To honor Henry, we will light a candle in his memory. ( Candle is lit) The light of the flame is symbolic to the world as a light of remembrance. As we remember Henry, let us also remember that each life lived is unique, each life lived touches others, and every life lived has value. To honor Henry and his time with the railroad, let us listen to the song: “Long Black Train” Song: “Long, Black Train” by Randy Lovaas Celebrant: Eulogy Henry was the eldest of five children. He was raised and educated in Golva, North Dakota. Henry’s father was a laborer and his mother was a homemaker. Henry attended local schools through the seventh grade. He learned at a young age to have a good work ethic. His mother had a large garden of about two acres and she and her children planted, hoed weeds and harvested it each year. In February, 1943, when Henry was 19, he enlisted in the United States Army. He became a half-track driver. A half track is a truck with a track instead of wheels. Henry was honorably discharged early in his enlistment. He came out of the service with some loss of hearing and a change in his pattern of speech. Poor physical condition was listed on his discharge order; but also mentioned was his character, which was listed as “excellent”! After his time in the Army, Henry returned to North Dakota. He worked as a farm laborer, and then he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for 23 years until his retirement. While with the railroad, Henry worked on the track maintenance crews. He would lay in seven ties a day. It was hard physical work, but Henry was a good and dependable worker. He had a lifetime struggle with alcohol dependency but no matter what the night brought, he always worked the next day. Henry never married or had children. He once said that the reason he never married was that all he could offer to anyone was a life of poverty. Henry was a tenderhearted and gentle soul, and even with the alcohol problem, he was never mean or unkind to others. Henry enjoyed children. He wore railroad bib overalls every day. He always carried lifesavers in his pocket to offer to people who took time to visit with him. For the last twelve years of his life, Henry resided at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home. An observation made someone who knew and visited Henry at the Veteran’s Home was that his time there was the best of Henry’s life. The staff was so caring and took such good care of Henry; he was eating right and he was no longer on alcohol. Henry was on a diabetic diet, but loved candy and would sneak it as often as he could. He attended many of the socials and activities provided by the staff and volunteers of the Veteran’s Home. Henry especially enjoyed the bus outings. Once an employee and her husband brought their stagecoach over and Henry got a ride in it. He commented that it was one mode of transportation he had never traveled by before. Henry would play solitaire for hours. While residing at the Eastern Montana veteran’s Home, Henry received a complimentary Beach, North Dakota newspaper. He would read it from cover to cover. On October 9, 2008, Henry Lechler passed away at the age of 85. This gentle man in the bib overalls, who walked the halls and joined in the activities of the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home for the past 12 years, will be missed. Henry was buried with a teddy bear, and his Northern Pacific railroad hat; and he was wearing his bib overalls. Those that knew Henry throughout his life, can appreciate the words stitched in the head panel of his casket. They read, “May the work I’ve done, speak for me.” Henry Lechler, may you rest in peace. Please take this time to say your own good-bye to Henry as we close this time of remembrance with the song, “Amazing Grace.” Song: Amazing Grace” by Randy Lovaas

Henry Lechler

July 10, 1923 - October 16, 2008

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Henry Lechler

July 10, 1923 - October 16, 2008

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support