Leslie Howard Solberg

Leslie Howard Solberg, 87, passed away on Saturday October 31, 2020 at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, MT from complications of COVID-19.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions a funeral will be held at a later date.  Les was born on September 7, 1933 in Malta MT to Egil and Palma (Mikkelson) Solberg.  He graduated Malta High School in 1951.  He worked on the family farm and ranch south of Malta until 1982, with the exception of when he joined the United States Marines in 1955 to serve his country and returned after he was honorably discharged in 1959. Les was very proud to have served his country as a Marine.

He was a very kind and loving man and welcomed Lorna McDermand and her three daughters, Sandy, Cindy and Shelley into his life when he married Lorna on July 15, 1973.  Les treated and loved his girls as his own.

Les was an avid card player and in 1982, Les and Lorna moved to Bakersfield, California to start their own Duplicate Bridge Center.  Les and Lorna operated the Bridge Center until retirement in 2003. Les loved cards of all kinds but his heart was with duplicate bridge where he became a Silver Life Master.  The love of bridge took him and Lorna all over playing cards and competing in numerous tournaments.  At these tournaments he met lifelong friends and made countless memories.

In 2003, Les and Lorna moved back to Montana, residing in Havre and then finally returning to Malta to be near their daughters and their families.  Les moved into the Hi-Line Retirement Center in 2016 and he instantly made connections with the staff and residents, they all loved his laugh and his smile.  He made everyone around him a better person.

Les’ father was from Norway and boy was Les proud of his Norwegian heritage.  You could often hear him telling Ole and Lena jokes.  He loved lutefisk and thought each of his family members should love it too….UFF DA!!!! 

He will always be remembered for his wit, famous one liners, card playing, knowledge of math, laugh and sense of humor.   He will be missed by all. As he would say whenever we were leaving, “be sure to write if you find work”. 

Les is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lorna, their daughters, Sandy (Fuzz) Carnahan, Cindy (Stan) Davis, Shelley (Darren) Demarais, grandchildren, Gretchen (Jay) Boardman, Kaydee Carnahan, Shannon (Nick) Oxarart, Derek (Megan) Davis, Lathan Crossland and Megan Crossland as well as 9 great-grandchildren, sister Pat Murdock, sister-in-law Dianne McDermand, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his sister, JoAnn Fanning, his father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Florence McDermand and brothers-in-law.

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