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Leon Zentner, age 81, of Morristown, SD, passed away at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, SD, on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

A Rosary service for Leon will be held at 10:30 a.m. CT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ft. Pierre, SD.

A Rosary Service for Leon will also be held at 10:30 a.m. MT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. MT on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown, SD.  Fr. Adam Hofer will officiate with burial to follow in the Morristown Cemetery.

Both services will be livestreamed and links will be available on Leon's obituary.

On Sunday March 30, 2025, the world lost an original.  Leon W. Zentner passed peacefully at Avera St. Mary's hospital in Pierre SD, surrounded by his loved ones.

Leon was born on August 29, 1943 to Martin and Matilda Zentner on the family farm near Isabel, SD.  He was the 7th of 11 children.

In 1964 he married Pauline Huck. Together they raised (3) children.

For several years he worked for George Burns on a ranch south of Morristown, SD. raising hogs and cattle. In 1978, he and Pauline purchased the nearby Vatland place.  This was the beginning of "The Hard Hat Ranch".  At the ranch they raised cattle, some chickens, emu's and farmed.

Last summer, Leon and Pauline moved to an assisted living facility in Ft. Pierre SD where Pauline continues to reside.

Even during the most difficult of times, Leon found a way to move forward.  He found joy in the little things, fishing, green grass and Ole and Lena jokes.  He was hard working and hard headed, kind and thoughtful, friendly and silly.  You could always count on him for a laugh.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Matilda, siblings, Dennis, Duane, Viola, Lew, Al, Lorraine and grandson Nick. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Pauline, his son Mike (Serena), son Tim (aka TJ) and daughter Dawn (Sam), brothers Kenny & Darold, sisters Evelyn & Merlene as well as (7) grandchildren and (3) great grandchildren.

He was one hell of a man and will be greatly missed.