Leonard Mardikian

Leonard Mardikian, 67, Driscoll, died August 11, 2018. Services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 16, at Grace Lutheran Church in Driscoll, ND. Family will be greeting visitors from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm Wednesday, August 15, at Eastgate-Steele Memorial Chapel, Steele, ND, where a prayer service will begin at 7pm. Leonard (Lenny) was born March 5, 1951, to Wenes and Justine (Card) Mardikian in Bismarck, ND. He was raised on the family farm south of Driscoll where he attended and graduated from Driscoll High School in 1969. Lenny attended Bismarck Junior College briefly before joining the US Army, serving in Fort Lewis Washington, and he was honorably discharged in 1971. Lenny married Gail Johnston of Menoken, ND, in 1972. He worked many trades and was a skilled mechanic, welder, and iron worker. Lenny and Gail raised a family of three children while working across the country in Colorado, California, and Wyoming. Lenny returned to North Dakota in 2010 and began living the life he always dreamed of on the Mardikian Family Farm. Lenny, or Papa, as he was known to those closest to him, was a tremendous fisherman, hunter, and rock-hound. Papa would stop to pick up a unique rock everywhere he went. He enjoyed gardening and raised the best tomato plants that anyone has ever seen. Lenny was a diehard Atlanta Braves fan and read the box scores from the sports page every morning with breakfast. Most important to Papa was his children, and he cherished the time spent with his grandkids above all. Our love for Papa was only superseded by the love and generosity he shared with us all. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. We love you Papa. Leonard is survived by his son, Josh (Angie) Mardikian; daughter, Becky Mardikian; daughter, Sarah (Justin) Souder; grandchildren, Brandon Myers, Justin Widenham, Charlie Souder, Zoe Souder, and was anticipating a granddaughter due in December; his brother, Dale (Jeri) Mardikian; as well as an uncle, many cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends and loved ones. Leonard was preceded in death by his son, Wyatt; his parents; brother, Vern; and sister, Kathy.