Pierre "Bob" Lettenga

Pierre R. (Bob) Lettenga was born April 7, 1927 to Robert P. and Elizabeth Weaver Lettenga. As a young boy growing up on the farm, he spent many hours walking behind as his father tilled and planted the land. He developed a love of the soil and watching crops grow and mature.
At the age of 13, after graduating from the 8th grade at the rural Manson school, he was afflicted with a bone disorder, osteomyelitis, spending the better part of a year in hospitals in Conrad and Great Falls. Missing one year of school, he started his freshman year at Conrad High School by correspondence, being confined to a wheelchair and walking on crutches, graduating in 1945 and that fall enrolling in Montana State College in Bozeman, graduating in 1950 in Industrial Arts with a teaching certificate. His love for the farm had not left him and despite his handicap, having one leg as much as 4 inches shorter than the other, he returned to the farm and eventually began farming on his own. In 1957, he met the love his life and future helpmate, Bertha Louise Olsen. They were married June 8, 1958 and spent their lives together tending the farm and livestock, living their entire married life in the home Bob's parents had moved in to the year prior to his birth. Bob and Bertha adopted two children: Elizabeth Ann in 1960 and Robert Pierre in 1963, and they too were instrumental in his success as a farmer. Upon retiring from active farming, Bob served a short term as county commissioner of Pondera County, filling an unexpired term. He then purchased a 5th wheel trailer and they enjoyed 10 years wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Bertha passed away on March 7, 2002 while they were wintering in Yuma, Arizona and he continued living on the farm and again wintering in Arizona. Always enjoying music, he spent many retirement hours playing his harmonica and singing at jam sessions. Through a mutual love of music, he met and married Marie Hallan. They were married on November 9, 2003 and traveled again to Arizona, returning to his childhood home in the spring. He made a great many friends as a result of his music and also in playing pool. He played many years on 3 different pool leagues, traveling to the many mobile home parks throughout  the East Valley, Mesa, Tempe and Apache Junction.

Bob and Marie continued to live in the home he has always lived in.

Bob was always active in farm organizations and as a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Conrad Chapter of the Loyal Order of Moose. He was also always active in Democratic circles.

He is survived by his wife Marie; his daughter Elizabeth Ann Gosman and her husband Evan and their children Christopher and Aline; and his son Robert Pierre Lettenga and his wife Dotty, and his children Zachary, Zoe, and Zannaleigh. In addition, he has two great grandchildren named Mara and Wayvan. Also surviving are stepchildren Louis Lenoir, Russ Lenoir, Leanna Lenoir, Michael Lenoir and Patty Lenoir and their families, and his sister Lucille Rice and her family.
Bob was the son of Dutch immigrants. His father was the only member of his family in the United States. As a result, all of his paternal relatives were in the Netherlands. Throughout his lifetime, Bob was privileged to make five trips to the homeland of his parents. On one of these trips to visit cousins in Holland, he attended a Lettenga family reunion where 175 relatives gathered together from various parts of the world to celebrate 400 years of Lettenga family history. He remained extremely proud of his Dutch ancestry and visited and corresponded with several distant relatives in various parts of the U.S.
One winter during his high school years, he was privileged to stay with the pastor of the Reformed church and his family. The memories of living in this Christian household instilled in Bob a strong belief in Christ. He was faithful to his beliefs and has been a member of three different congregations in Conrad, taking an active part in each.
He would like to be remembered for his faith, faith in his Lord, his family, and his friends.

Any gifts or memorials in my name should be made to First Presbyterian Church in Conrad, MT or to a reputable charity of choice .