Leo Ahonen, 89, a lifelong Newell area sheep rancher, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Golden Living Center, Rapid City, SD. Leo was born at Dry Creek, Butte County, SD, on August 4, 1920, to Abraham and Anna (Koso) Ahonen. He attended country elementary school and graduated from Newell High School in 1937. Leo married Violette Laumer on June 12, 1944, in Broadus, MT. Together they raised five daughters and hundreds of sheep on their ranch east of Newell. Leo also farmed irrigated and dry land.

Leo served on the FHA board, supported Newell Labor Day Rodeo, he and Violette serving as Labor Day parade marshals, and they received several awards for range management and conservation practices.

Leo will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his daughters, Beverly (David) Winkler, Newell, Elaine (Lincoln) Ainsworth, Piedmont, Susan (Daniel) Bulleit, Greenville, IN, Janette Ahonen, Aurora, CO; son-in -law Lloyd Perrin, Australia; five grandchildren, Paul (Cheyenne)Winkler, Jessica(Hai)Truong, Suzette (Ross) Cuny, Sam Bulleit and Annie Bulleit; and seven great-grandchildren.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Violette; daughter Barbara Perrin; infant son, Robert; and sister, Frances Hoffman.

Services will be Wednesday, June 16th , at 10:00 a.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD. with burial at the Hope Cemetery in Newell, SD. There will be a time of fellowship at TJ's Café in Newell following the committal service.

A memorial has been established to the Newell Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Newell Museum.