Leonard A. Schatz | November 21, 1942 - January 26, 2023
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Jan 31, 2023 | 9:32 AM / 535 views
Leonard A. Schatz, 80, of Gettysburg, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Avera Gettysburg Hospital, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor David Otten presiding. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Gettysburg. A prayer service will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2023, at the church.
Leonard Allen Schatz was born November 21, 1942, to Clarence W. Schatz and Eda Mae (Munyon) Schatz in Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on various farms near Tolstoy, Loyalton and Mina before his family moved to Gettysburg where he graduated from high school in 1960. He served in the SD National Guard for 4 years. Leonard married Rose Marie Schmidt on June 22, 1968, at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Pierre, SD.
Leonard was a self-taught auto mechanic and worked for various employers. They made their home in Gettysburg where they raised their three children. In 1983 he started his own mechanic business, Schatz Standard & Repair in Agar, SD. In 2002 he built his own shop and moved his business back to Gettysburg. Leonard retired in 2009 but continued to do some part time mechanic work.
He loved camping, fishing, and hunting. His hobby became restoring old tractors. He restored 10 tractors in total over the years. He belonged to the Brown County Old Time Tractor Pullers Association for many years and enjoyed tractor pulling every summer. He was an active member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosie Schatz of Gettysburg; one son, Mark Schatz of West Fargo, ND, two daughters, Kristie (CJ) Charles and Angie (Chad) Tennant of Spearfish, SD; sister, Donna Wester of Aberdeen, SD; brother, Warren (Nancy) Schatz of Ipswich, SD; uncle, Dean (Sandy) Schatz of Burlington, WA; nine grandchildren: Brody, Shaelyn, and Makaivry Schatz; Georgie and Tripp Charles; Lucie, Taylor, Harper, and Ainslie Tennant; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and one infant grandson, Brock Schatz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Leonard’s arrangements.
