Leonard Harvey Venneberg

Leonard Harvey Venneberg passed away December 6, 2018, at the Cashmere Care Center. He was born on May 23, 1932 to William and Clarice Venneberg. An orchardist, Leonard spent most of his life on the family ranch on Lower Joe Creek, Manson, which was homesteaded by his grandparents Martin and Louise Venneberg, in 1897. In retirement, Leonard lived on nearby Wapato Lake.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, he served his country in Berlin, Germany, which was then behind the Iron Curtain. He was married and divorced twice. In 1958, he married Mona Gayle Breeden, with whom he had two children, Terrie and Kevin. At his second marriage to Chloe (Sam) Mieras in 1967, he became stepfather to her two children, Cindy Albertson and Michael Scrobut, who preceded him in death.

Leonard actively participated in the community, having served as Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows, member of the Board of Directors of the Growers Union, Vice President of the Lake Chelan Boat Club, member of the Board of Directors of the Soil Conservation Board, and Commander of the American Legion. He also managed the Echo Valley Ski area for many years.

In addition to his children, Terrie Venneberg and Kevin Venneberg, he is survived by four sisters: Shirley Meier, Christina Sampson, Marlene Badgley, and Rachel Imper; three grandchildren: Scott Ward, Chelsea Holm-Nielsen, and Keara Holm-Nielsen; and four great-grandchildren. His family and friends will long cherish the memories of fun-filled gatherings at the ranch and aboard his boat, The Sinbad, a familiar sight on Lake Chelan for many years. Leonard embraced life fully, and especially enjoyed his garden and visiting with friends. He loved the Lake Chelan area and always said, “I never want to live anywhere else.”