Milton James Leicht, 85, passed away Tuesday April 3, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was born to Christ and Lydia Leicht on January 21, 1927 in Bowdle, South Dakota . Milton met his wife of 63 years, Darlys Yeske, while working as a farmhand for her father. They dated for three years and were married on October 9, 1949. Following their marriage, Milton and Darlys moved to a farm near Leola, South Dakota. In 1950, they were blessed with their first daughter, Jolaine. In 1952, Milton and Darlys moved to Portland, Oregon with their eldest daughter where Milton went to work in a saw mill. Due to the wet weather, they returned to South Dakota to resume farming in 1953. In 1955, they decided to make Portland their permanent home. Their second daughter, Tamra, arrived in 1959. Milton worked for Oregon Steel Mills until his retirement in1988. Milton spent his spare time camping, fishing, deer hunting, and traveling. Some of his happiest days were spent camping and fishing with his wife, grandsons, and good friends. Milton and Darlys traveled to Iowa annually to visit their youngest daughter’s family. After his retirement, Milton and Darlys traveled to Yuma, Arizona as snowbirds every winter. In 1990, they relocated to the Crooked River Ranch in central Oregon and later moved to Redmond, Oregon. In 2007, they moved to Olympia, Washington to be closer to their eldest daughter’s family.

Milton is survived by his wife, Darlys; daughters, Jolaine (Paul) Swanda and Tamra (David) Taylor; grandchildren, Tony (Nannette) Swanda, Kevin (Erin) Swanda, Angela (Matthew) Schilling, and Megan (Samuel) Wright; four great-grandchildren, Natalie, Lauren, Owen and Elliott Swanda; one brother; and five sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 7075 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm. Memorials can be sent to Faith Lutheran School in Milton’s name.