Leighton R. Chicoine

August 8, 1925 — July 29, 2016

Sioux City, IA – Leighton R. Chicoine, 90, of Sioux City formerly of Jefferson, SD died Friday, July 29, 2016 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 2nd at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson, SD with Father Joe Vogel, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Monday at the church with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

Leighton Roderick Chicoine was born August 8, 1925 to Emile and Evonne Chicoine at Jefferson, SD. Leighton grew up on a farm near Jefferson. He graduated from Central High School in Sioux City with the Class of 1943. On June 27, 1945, he married the love of his life, Sonia Dorothy Blanchard from Jefferson. They were married for 71 years. Together, they raised five children: Sandie, Gale, Lyle, Shelley and Terry.

Leighton rented a farm near Jefferson where he planted corn and beans, and grew alfalfa to feed his Herford cattle.

Leighton loved to dance. Leighton and Sonia frequently went out dancing, and as rumor has it, they were outstanding jitterbug dancers.

In 1954, they moved to Riverside and he loved to watch his children’s sporting events as he never got the chance to play while he was younger. Leighton continued to farm after moving into Riverside and also worked at the stock yards and various packing houses during the winter time. He was a very hard worker and was proud of his farm machinery. He taught all his kids a strong work ethic. Leighton bought a cabin at McCook Lake, SD where the family enjoyed many wonderful times. After they sold the lake house, they built a house on an 80 acre piece of land near his parent’s old homestead. They lived there for several years and he continued to farm during this time. After retiring from farming, they moved to LeMars, IA where they built another new home. They lived in LeMars for three years, and then moved back to Sioux City into a house near Trinity Heights. Leighton loved the outdoors and continued “to farm his backyard”, so to speak, while mowing his huge yard on his John Deere riding mower. In recent years, he and Sonia moved into assisted living at Northern Hills.

Leighton always liked people. He enjoyed socializing and visiting with people and could carry on a conversation with anybody.

Leighton is survived by his wife, Sonia of Sioux City; five children: Sandie Bousquet of Valparaiso, NE, Gale (Georgia) Chicoine of Spencer, NE, Lyle (Becky) Chicoine of Sioux City, IA, Shelley (Gary) Barringer of Thornton, CO and Terry (Angela) Chicoine of Loveland, CO; 16 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. He will be missed by all.

Leighton was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren: Jamie Rae Chicoine and Kaylie Faith Bousquet; one sister, Maxine (Don) Galland; and two brothers: Ferdinand (Pat) Chicoine and Hubert (Betty) Chicoine.

The family would like to thank The Heritage at Northern Hills Assisted Living care staff for their care and kindness during the past two years.

Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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Leighton R. Chicoine

August 8, 1925 — July 29, 2016

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