Funeral Service for Leonard Richard Johnson, 74, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Hall, Sisseton, SD with Deacon Chet Cordell Officiating. Pallbearers will be Brad Nichols, Dennis Isaac, Randy Bernard, Ron Redday, Mike Peters, Mike Greeley, Bill Laroche and Smiley Shepherd, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Leonard's Military Buddies. Drum Group will be the Seaboy boys. Interment will be in the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Veteran Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with Military Rites by the Gordon Weston Lodge #6597. There will be a Wake Service on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Hall, Sisseton, SD.  The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Leonard Richard Johnson was born on February 10, 1948 to Benjamin and Mary (Stone) Johnson.  At a very young age, he lost both parents and was sent to the Tekakwitha Orphanage along with his sister and brother. He then attended grade school at the Wahpeton Indian Boarding School and high school at the Flandreau Indian Industrial High School and graduated from Hayti High School, Hayti, South Dakota.  He then joined the U.S. Army and was stationed with the 82 ^nd Airborne Division, 101 ^st Airborne Division, D/16 ^th Armor-173 ^rd Airborne Brigade.  He spent three (3) tours in South Vietnam.  He earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge. He was on permanent disability from wounds received on 1 October 1971. He then moved to Ft. Totten, North Dakota and joined the American Legion Post there and was a member of the color guard. He then moved to Flandreau, South Dakota and joined the Gordon Weston Post color guard and attended many Wacipi's throughout the Midwest with them. He joined BRAVO and joined the Woodrow Keeble Post #314, Agency Village, South Dakota.  He met many veterans in Indian Country and was a friend to all. He was a great cook and would invite veterans to come eat and visit. He was always ready and willing to help at all veteran's functions. He was always helping his fellow veterans.  He felt bad he couldn't help due to his health condition later in his life.  He made his spiritual journey on Sunday, September 25, 2022.

Leonard is survived one son, Chad Johnson of Springfield, SD and five grandchildren, Tessa, Caden Isaiah, and Elizabeth Johnson and Tony Erickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sister Agatha Evan, Brother Gregory and infant brother Dennis, half sister Madeline Guy and half brother Ignacious Guy.