Leland Emery Huntsman, 103, died Sunday May 12, 2013 at his home in Enterprise, Utah of causes incident to age. He was born September 28, 1909 to Emery Edward and Ida Barbara Staheli Huntsman in Santa Clara, Utah, the oldest of twelve children. He spent his life in Enterprise where he ranched and farmed, and was a trucker. He grew up as a real cowboy riding the range with his father as soon as he was old enough to leave his mother’s side. He attended school in Enterprise, finishing high school at Dixie College. He attended college in Dixie for a year, and went to BYU for half a year, then he had to return home when his father broke his leg.
He served in the California Mission from 1936 to 1938. Shortly after his return, he married his sweetheart Wanda Belle Abbott on October 5, 1938 in the Salt Lake Temple. They set up house in Enterprise, raising a family of five girls and two boys.
He was active in the LDS Church and held many callings. He served as Bishop of the Enterprise Ward for ten years, the last bishop of the Ward before it was split. During his service they built a new chapel, involving raising most of the money and providing much of the labor. He later served as Ward Choir Director, a much loved calling.
He and Wanda were called as Temple workers at the St. George Temple, and later were called to serve a mission when they opened the Seattle Temple. There he was called to be a Sealer, which proved to be a great blessing in his life. He was able to seal one daughter, one son, and numerous grandchildren. In fact, he was scheduled to seal a great-granddaughter this Saturday. They later served a mission at the London Temple Visitor Center. The associations they made at the temple and on their missions enriched the remainder of their lives.
They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1988. Wanda passed away in January of 1989 after a long illness during which Leland took loving care of her. He married Madonna Rice on his 80th birthday, promising her twenty years. He fulfilled his promise and Donna died after twenty-two years of marriage in 2012. When he married Donna, he acquired another family, and enjoyed being a Grandpa to another group of children.
He was dearly loved by all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and each thought they were his favorite. He has 43 grandchildren, 125 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren with a number on the way. He had a great laugh and we often thought he was going to pass out. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his wives Wanda and Donna; six sisters, Elda (Cecil) Lee, Lily (Harold) Mangum, Winona (Lowell) Hunting, Karma (Leo) Prisbrey, Delilah Huntsman, and Allie (Reed) Harrison; two brothers, Merlin (Lenore) Huntsman and John Huntsman; two daughters, VerLee (Clark) Brenchley and Cheryl (Joseph) Jensen; one son, Lyman (Nancy Shephard, deceased, and Marie Matheson); and most of his friends. He is survived by two sisters, Laura (Leroy) Drexl and Lenora (Melvin)Truman; one brother, Lewis (Jeanette) Huntsman; his children, Mary Ann (Leslie) Barlow; Kay (Karl) Schmutz; Nick (Jodie) Huntsman; and Lori Huntsman.
A visitation will be held at the Metcalf Mortuary Thursday, May 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Enterprise Stake Center, 80 S. Main, Friday, May 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will also be held at the Stake Center from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the services.
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