Leo Altenbern, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle passed away peacefully on September 18th2019 at his home on Roan creek. Leo was born January 4th1927 in De Beque, Co to Orville and Helen Altenbern. Leo and his brother Max were raised on the family ranch up Carr creek about 28 miles NW of De Beque.
Leo attended the first grade in De Beque where he boarded with his uncle Harry. He also attended the Brush creek school and completed his 8th grade at the Carr creek school where he rode a horse with his brother Max and Betty Van Cleave.
Leo completed his 9th thru 12th grade at De Beque high school, only going home on weekends to help work the family ranch. The day after Leo graduated, he was shipped off to boot camp at Fort Riley, Kansas. He completed his tour of duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky as World War II ended.
When Leo returned home, he came home to a new baby sister Karen and continued to work the family ranch with his father and brother where they raised polled Hereford cattle and hay. He loved to irrigate and operate machinery. With his father he built the prong road which was the access to their Brush mountain property.
Then in 1976 he married Myrna Pittman who had 2 children, Stephanie and Kevin. As a new father he enjoyed all of the endeavors that came with his new family. He willingly helped the kids with 4H animals and projects. Over the years Leo sat through many sporting events cheering for his kids, grand kids and great grandkids. Leo passed down his knowledge of farming, irrigating and working on machinery. Leo enjoyed going adventuring with his grandkids.
Leo taught his family to love deeply, care unconditionally for one another and forgive when necessary. He taught our family to rejoice in other’s successes and lend support when life is hard. Leo leaves a legacy of hard work, unselfishness, thriftiness, caring, kindness, unconditional love and patience.
Leo is survived by his wife Myrna of forty-three years, his children Stephanie (Butch) Thorpe and Kevin (Jeana) Pittman, his brother Max (Jerrie) Altenbern, his sister Karen (Frank) Hardrick, grandchildren Jason and Zach Thorpe, Danyielle Blaylock, Brent and Linda Pittman, greatgrandchildren Brady Thorpe, Haleigh and Cersei Blaylock, Hannah Gay and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Donna and his granddaughter Cally.
Viewing will be Tuesday September 24th between 5 and 7 pm. Services will be held on Wednesday September 25th at 1 pm at Martins Mortuary. Internment will be at Memorial Gardens following the service.
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