Leo Zentner

Leo Zentner was born on August 31, 1944, at the family farmhouse south of Bridger. He was raised in the area. Music and dancing were a big part of Leo's life from the beginning. His dad played the fiddle, and his mother taught him and his siblings to dance in the kitchen. Leo learned the guitar and played it all his life. He would listen to the radio every Sunday morning and would play his guitar along with the songs he knew.

On July 6, 1965, he was drafted into the Army. His basic training was completed at Fort Ore California. He was then sent to the Panama Canal zone for the rest of the Army tour of 21 months. He married Dianne Ballek on December 1, 1967, in Gillette, Wyoming where he was employed operating heavy equipment. They moved back to Montana in 1968. In 1969 he started a 16 ½ year career in the lumber business. During this time, he built two of his own homes and always had a few cattle and saddle horses. Their son Scott was born in 1971. In 1985, he bought a ranch that he later sold to his son and daughter-in-law. They still operate it today.

Leo's wife Dianne passed away in 1992. He married Lucy Johnson on January 1, 2006. They enjoyed spending their time together playing cards and dancing.

Leo is preceded in death by his wife, Dianne Ballek and his infant son Jesse; his three brothers Frank, John, and Paul; and step son Dean Johnson, Sr.

Leo is survived by his wife Lucy, son Scott (Melissa) Zentner; two sisters Kate Berry and Mary Althoff; Lucy's daughter Dawn (Bill) Kite and her 3 children, 6 great grandkids, and Dean's 3 children and 4 great grand kids; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 25th at 1:00 pm at Dahl Funeral Chapel following an interment at the Bridger Cemetery at 10:00 am the same day. There will be a luncheon following the memorial service.