Raymond Leingang

Raymond (Ray) A. Leingang, 85, of Mandan, ND, was called home by God on January 22, 2020 in the comfort of his home with his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, January 27, 2020 at 10:30 AM CST at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan, ND with Reverend Dennis Schafer as Celebrant.  Burial will be held at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM CST at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, ND with a Men of the Moose Ritual, St. Anthony Verein Rosary and Parish Vigil starting at 6:00 PM CST.

Ray was born on November 15, 1934 near Solen, ND to George and Rose (Haider) Leingang.    Ray was the fourth of 12 brothers and sisters.  He loved to share fun, maybe even mischievous, stories about his siblings. He was educated in a country school near their home.  He married the love of his life, Annella (Nell) Knoll, on October 9, 1956 at St. Anthony, ND. They started farming near St. Anthony and then later moved to his parents’ farm north of Solen, ND.  They raised three children on the family farm: Michael (Mike), Benita, and Cathleen (Cathy).  They farmed and ranched until 1990.  When he and Nell moved to Mandan, he continued to actively help his daughter and son-in-law on the farm.  His older grandchildren have fond memories of Grandpa driving down into the yard in his little brown pickup. Combining during harvest time was his favorite part of farming; Grandpa’s job was to run the combine.  After moving to Mandan, he and Nell enjoyed spending much of their time with their younger grandchildren and seeing their grandkids on “the farm” regularly as well.  He rarely missed a grandchild’s sporting event or any other extracurricular activity. Ray was blessed with 9 (going on 10) great grandchildren, and they were the “twinkle in his eye”. He looked forward to their birthday parties and had dollars ready to pass out to each one of the “little ones”.  Family was his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them. Ray was a wonderful host and welcomed company at any time.  You never left hungry and your cup was always full.  Ray was a member of the St. Anthony Verein and Mandan Moose Club.

Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nell Leingang; his daughters, Benita (Todd) Meyer of Solen and Cathy (Darin) Ferderer of Bismarck; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Tyrel) Zingg of Carson, Stacey (Kyle) Woodbury of Carson, Calvin (Ashley) Meyer of Mandan, and Madison and Megan Ferderer of Bismarck; his 9, soon to be 10, great grandchildren, Jocelyn, Allison, Chelsey, and Amber Zingg, Weston, Wyatt, and McKenna Woodbury, and Hannah, Evan, and Baby Meyer (due March 2020); brothers, Frank Leingang, Robert (Mary Ann) Leingang, Ronald (Betty) Leingang; sisters, Helen (Bill) Kuntz and Eldean (Bill) Fitterer; brothers and sisters-in-law Aldean (Mike) Paul, Eileen Paul, Georgiann Leingang, and Robert (Marge) Knoll.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Leingang; parents, George and Rose Leingang; father and mother-in-law, George and Rose Knoll; sisters, Janize Leingang, Janice Fitterer, Carolyn (Richard) Bullinger, and Laura Wicaryus; brothers, Arnold Leingang and Leo Leingang; brothers and sisters-in-law Eileen Leingang, Ray (Eleanor) Knoll, and Peter Paul.