Leonard Leier

Leonard Leier, 88, Bismarck, formerly of Tappen, ND died peacefully at Sanford Hospital September 9, 2019.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, September 13, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tappen, with Rev. Jerome Hunkler officiating. Burial will be at Fisher Cemetery, Tappen.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, September 12 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tappen. A Rosary will begin at 6:30 PM led by the Knights of Columbus followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM.

Leonard was born August 11, 1931 to Joseph and Clara (Schmidt) Leier of Kintyre, ND. He attended rural school south of Napoleon and worked on the family farm.

He married Theresa Grensteiner on September 22, 1953 at St. Katherine’s Catholic Church in Braddock, ND. After their marriage, they farmed with his father for a time. In the fall of 1954, they purchased their farm 13 miles south of Tappen. In 2015 they moved to Primrose Retirement Communities in Bismarck, ND. Leonard moved to St. Vincent’s Care Center in 2017.

Leonard had been involved in many organizations and held many offices throughout the years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Tappen, ND which he attended faithfully. He served on the church building committee, Board of Trustees and church council. He was an honorary, life member of St. Leo’s Knights of Columbus Council, of Tappen. In 1983 Leonard and Theresa were awarded the Knights of Columbus Catholic Family of the Year. He served on the Valley Township board and was also a member of the Bismarck Eagles.

Leonard enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, trapping, dancing, snowmobiling and playing cards. He enjoyed working with his Limousin cow herd. Leonard and Theresa were honored as the Heartland Limousin Association 2006 Commercial Producer of the year. He also did custom corn chopping for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa of 65 years; and his children, Joyce (Russ) Matter, Moorhead, MN, Colleen (Milton) Weippert, Karen (Dale) Dockter, Pat (Val Mittleider) Leier, LaVonne (Dan) Mittleider all of Tappen, ND, Sarah (Randy) Selvig, Rolette, ND; and daughter-in-law, Beth (Nicholson) Leier of Dawson, ND; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; his siblings, John Leier, Julius (Marcella) Leier, Caroline (Pete) Glatt, Martin (Maggie) Leier, Christine (Jerome) Schwartzenberger, Pauline Slovarp, Larry (MaryAnn) Leier, and Lorraine (Andy) Piatz; in-laws, JoAnne (Tony) Glatt and Laurie Grensteiner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Dalles; his parents; and in-laws, Richard Slovarp, Monica Leier, Andy and Mary Grensteiner, Henry and Bernice Grensteiner and George Grensteiner.