Obituary of Leland F. Henrichs

Leland Henrichs passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2016 due to complications from advanced lung disease in Simi Valley, California. He was born on June 15, 1932 at the family’s ranch near Mohler, Washington. On June 8, 1958 he married Eleanore Albo in Spokane, Washington. Leland is survived by his daughter Marylee, son John, son-in-law Tim, and six grandchildren; Patricia, Leland, Robert, Rachel, Carmela, and Francisco. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Eleanore, his Dad John, his mother Ruth, and his brother Ned. As a young boy Leland, or “Lee” loved horses, and left home at 13 to pursue a career as a jockey. He spent the first part of his high school years on Shasta Ranch in Shasta, California, and when it became apparent that he was becoming too tall to be a successful jockey he moved to the Armstrong Ranch in Harrington, Washington where he continued to work with race horses and finished school at Harrington High School. He would speak of his time with the Armstrong family as some of the best times of his young life. After high school Leland enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for nine years. It was during this time he met Eleanore and they married. Upon the death of his father-in-law, Frank Albo, Lee and Ellie moved home to support her mother, Mary and the four younger children, Robert, Richard, James, and Delores. As with so many others he was a great support and role model for all of them. After his time in the Air Force Leland decided to pursue his college degree at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1966 along with his brother-in-law, Robert. Once finished with college he pursued a career as an accountant. He held this position with several companies until in 1971 Lee and Ellie moved their young family to Northridge, California to follow a job opportunity with Carnation Company. They resided in the San Fernando Valley until Ellie’s death in 2010. Leland was active in his church and an amazing handy man. He was everyone’s “go to” guy when something was broken and his home was called “Command Central” in the neighborhood because he always seemed to know what to do or how to solve any problem. One of Leland’s biggest passions was the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a life-long Dodger fan and Vin Scully’s voice could always be heard coming from the little radio he carried around with him in the evenings and on the weekends while he worked in the yard and around the house. After his retirement from Nestle Company he worked as an usher at Dodger Stadium for 16 years. The viewing and rosary for Leland will be on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Rose Family Funeral Home, 4444 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA 93065. The funeral mass is Saturday, September 17th at 10:00AM at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93065 with interment immediately following at Assumption Cemetery, 1380 Fitzgerald Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Everyone in attendance at the rosary and the funeral are invited back to the Pena home for a celebration of Leland’s life. Memorial donations may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/