Leighton E. Reum
July 10, 1947 – April 22, 2008
Leighton E. Reum, Mahto Chatka Tiopi Ota-Sioux (Left-Handed Bear Wounded Many Times), age 60, of Wolf Point, Montana, passed away from natural causes on April 22nd, 2008, at home. He was born on July 10th, 1947 in Poplar, Montana to Ida Belle Wilson. He was educated at the Pierre Indian Boarding School in Pierre, South Dakota. He attended High School at Flandreau Indian Boarding School in Flandreau, South Dakota. He eventually went on to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development from Naes College in Poplar, Montana.
Leighton enlisted into the United States Army in November, 1966 and served his country gloriously as a heavy machine gunner in “A-Troop,” of the 101st Airborne Division, “The Screaming Eagles.” He sustained wounds numbering 6 and spent over one year in Camp Zampa, Japan convalescing before returning stateside. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1969 after earning numerous citations to include 2 Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Parachute Badge.
After leaving the military, he moved to St. Anthony, Idaho where he met the captivating beauty that would one day become his wife, Donetta Gunter. After a whirlwind romance, fate intervened and they were married on February 23rd, 1970. Through “thick and thin,” and, by Leighton’s own admission on many occasions, she held fast to her vows and proved to be a wife, the likes of which, prove rare and seldom paralleled. Through this union, Leighton and Donetta were blessed to have bestowed upon them five children, Dennie, Cody, Marcus, Corey, and Misty.
Leighton labored to provide for his family utilizing a number of avocations throughout his life but his finest and most widely remembered were spent in the pursuit of the legal practice he loved and augmented with an entrepreneurial love most often attributed to an “innate desire.” When he wasn’t working in his chosen profession or beloved passion, he coveted most his obsession to his hobbies that included guitar playing, singing, riding horseback, hunting, spoiling his grandkids, playing cards, dice, and have a general affinity for the solace that can only be found in the company of family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donetta Reum, and his five children, Dennie (Melissa) Reum of Poplar, Cody (Jeff) Ricker of Wolf Point, Marcus (Mariya) Reum of Wasilla, Alaska, Corey (Abby) Reum of Wolf Point, and Misty Reum of Wolf Point. Leighton also leaves his most adored and loved siblings, his twin brother, Clayton (Donna), Sam, Velma (Glenn), and a plethora of nieces, nephews, and grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Jessie Wilson, his mother, Ida Belle Wilson, his sister Thelma Reum, and Alvina Reum-Martinez.
Anybody that knew Leighton would agree that he was a force, the likes of which, one would feel a deep pang of loss to have never known. All that knew him and loved him regard his memory with a deference and esteem, the loss of which, creates a void time and memories prove helpless to assuage.
A wake will be held Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the Wolf Point Community Hall starting at 4:00 p.m. His funeral service will be Monday, April 28, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment with military honors will follow at Chicken Hill Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.