Leo Leingang

Leo P. Leingang, 87, of Mandan, entered his heavenly life Tuesday, May 26, 2020, from home surrounded by his family.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 1, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mandan, ND, with Rev. Dennis Schafer as celebrant. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Due to COVID 19, there will be no visitation and a family service will be held.

Leo was born on January 30, 1933 on his family’s homestead, St. Anthony, ND, to Peter and Rose (Leingang) Leingang. He married Gladys Erhardt on June 25, 1956. From this marriage, they welcomed one son, Ronald.  Together they took over the family’s 1898 homestead, making him the 3rd generational family farmer where they stayed until 1990 at which time, they moved to Mandan handing down the farm to Ron who is now the 4th generational family farmer.

One of Leo’s greatest accomplishments was receiving the Morton County’s Young Farmer’s Award in the fall of 1977. He was a farmer with an entrepreneurial spirit thus well ahead of his time.  He was always looking for a better way to produce the best crop and it was a highlight to be honored in this way.

Leo loved the art of buying, trading, and selling farm equipment.  He was always looking to make a deal and he enjoyed traveling near and far to see those deals through. Leo and Gladys enjoyed many adventures and loved to travel together.  They enjoyed travels to Europe, Canada, and 38 states including Alaska and Hawaii.

Leo was a sharp dressed man.  He took great pride in a well-groomed yard and clean vehicles were a must. Leo enjoyed dancing.  He loved the polka.  For fifty years, you could find Leo on a dance floor on Saturday night somewhere.  Aside from dancing, Leo enjoyed camping and fishing with many days on the river looking forward to sharing friendship and fellowship with a fish fry and a cold beer after the big catch. He was a jokester looking to create laughter in those around him especially when he would steal/hide family holiday pies.

Leo was a hard worker and a dedicated family man.  When his grandchildren were welcomed into his life, he was even more in love with life and being their grandfather.  He was very proud of them and the lives he helped mold.

Leo is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Gladys; son, Ronald (Shelly) Leingang; granddaughter, LaKeisha Leingang (Special friend Cody); grandson, Chad Leingang (Special friend Allison); and brother-in-law, Jerome Zander, Fargo.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Hildegard (Leo) Landeis, Leona (Ed Schmidt), Anna (Bernard) Braun, Lillian (Ray) Miller, and Shirley Zander; brother, William (Viola) Leingang.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Farm Rescue of North Dakota. In order to make this memorial donation in Leo’s name, please visit www.farmrescue.org, find the blue “donate now” selection in the upper right corner, and follow the easy to donate instructions

The Final Harvest

He was bound to the land from the day of his birth.

His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth

Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew

And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true.

In faith, each spring, he planted seeds

In hope, to reap his family’s needs

With patience, he waited for the harvest to come

To gather the fruits of his labor home.

Ever turning seasons, the years sped past

“Til the final harvest come at last

Then Claimed anew by beloved sod

He was gathered home to be with God