Arizona Obituary Archive

Search      Post Obituary


Larry Leonard Leininger

Posted 2023-12-15 by Pat R
Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona)
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, p. A-6

Larry Leonard Leininger of Wickenburg was called to be with his Lord and
Savior on June 5, 2023, reuniting with his parents, Leonard and Frieda
Leininger, and son, Michael Larry Leininger, in heaven. Larry was born
on Sept. 29, 1938, in Lewiston, Montana.

After graduating from Fergus High in 1956, Larry entered the U.S. Air
Force where he was based in San Rafael, California, and Newfoundland,
Connecticut. Following his service in the Air Force, he moved to
Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota, earning a Master's
degree in electrical engineering.

During his time at U of M, he met and married Jeri Engelhart. They had
two children, Kristine (Kriss) and Michael. Following their divorce in
the late 1970s Jeri relocated to Phoenix with the children. Larry soon
traded the snow and cold in Minnesota for the desert sun and moved to
Phoenix as well.

Larry was a natural entrepreneur, driven charmer and full of wit. He
soon left the corporate world of early computer development to pursue
numerous and varied business ventures. His humble upbringing on a
Montana ranch, faith and diligence navigated him through rough waters
and onto mountain ranges professionally and personally. Larry worked
hard to play hard. He enjoyed sailing San Diego and the Caribbean,
motorcycles, small aircraft (including an aerobatic glider), cars and
his biggest passion, golf.

Larry's love of architecture also meant many new homes (12 in 29 years
with Lynda). He met his soulmate, Lynda Guess, in the mid 1990s and
married June 22, 1996. Larry retired in 1998, but Lynda continued to
work part-time so they could enjoy annual summer motorhome trips,
starting in California to visit Larry's children, and then touring the
western states and Canada. The final destination of the RV vacations was
always a couple weeks in Montana to visit extended family, life-long
friends and of course a few rounds of golf.

Larry is survived by devoted wife Lynda; daughter Kriss Wondka (Nick);
granddaughters Lauren Ellsworth (Kevin), Jena Wondka, and Mara Wondka,
all of California; stepson Todd Guess; granddaughter Kenna Guess;
grandson Brandon Guess; sisters, Arlene Roepke (Darrel) and Karen
Lennox; and nieces and nephews.

Larry's ashes will be taken to is beloved state of Montana and a
celebration of his life well-lived will be in Wickenburg with details to
follow.

"Well done good and faithful servant....Enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord"--Matthew 25:23




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

Questions About This Project?