Leo G. Stockert, 92, Dickinson, died Friday, February 24, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson with family at his side. Leo’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary & Parish Vigil at 7 p.m., Wednesday, with Deacon Al Schwindt presiding.
Leo George Stockert, the eighth child of twelve children born to John and Regina (Staudinger) Stockert on January 30, 1925 on the family farm southeast of Amidon. He was raised and educated in country schools near Amidon. Leo married Eleanor Thomas of Glen Ullin on February 18, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Glen Ullin.
Shortly after their marriage they left for Eugene, Oregon where he built a small home and worked in sawmills. After a period of time they returned to Amidon to the family farm, until 1958 when they moved the family south of Dickinson and farmed and ranched together until retirement. Leo was very busy operating his farm and raising his family of four sons and five daughters. Religion and family were very important to him; he taught us to value work and trust in God. No matter how much work there was, Sunday was all about family, after morning chores the family would attend Mass and the rest of the day was spent playing baseball, riding go-carts, picnicking, visiting with relatives or going for a ride in his airplane.
After retirement Leo and Eleanor enjoyed traveling, fishing, bowling, dancing, pool, gardening and playing cards. Most of all he enjoyed their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Grandpa always had a go-cart, four-wheeler, snowmobile or motorcycle to ride and love to tinker with all of them. In 1951, he acquired a pilots license and bought a single engine plane. In 1964, he decided to build a small track on the southeast corner of our farm where snowmobiles, stock cars, go-carts and motorcycles were raced. Together the family operated the track for 16 years and then leased to various organizations. In 1996, he sold the track, which is now Southwest Speed Way.
Leo served as an altar boy during his school days and continued to be active in many church organizations. He was proud to be a Knights of Columbus Honorary Life Member of Council 6308 where he served as a 4th Degree Knight for 28 years. He was a member of St. Pius Verein, St. Anthony Club, Eagles, German Hungarian, A.B.C. Bowling, Farmers Union Cooperative and National Farmers Organization. After retirement he delivered meals on wheels to shut-ins.
Leo is survived by his seven children: Charlotte (Gene) Kautzmann, Eloy Ariz., Kathie (Fred) Tooz, Dickinson, Karen (Ray) Novotny, Dickinson, Leon Stockert, Minneapolis, Minn., John (Nancy) Stockert of Dickinson, LaVonne Stockert, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Michael Stockert, Denver, Colo.; 12 grandchildren, Laurie (Cedric) McCulloch, Melinda (Dave) Cuevas, Justin (Paula) Privratsky, Troy (Kathleen) Tooz, Todd (Laura) Tooz, Tracy (Nichole) Tooz, TJ Tooz (Joslyn Reichert) girlfriend, Casey (Joette) Novotny, Torey Stockert, Haylea Stockert, Michael (Victoria) and Mitchel Stockert; three step-grandchildren, Brock (Molly) Davis, Tracey Voulgarakis and Sarah (Jason) Leucuta; 18 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Deacon Ralph (Anna Marie) Stockert and Anton (Agnes) Stockert, Dickinson; and one sister Catherine (Henry) Martin of Bismarck.
He was preceded in death by: his loving wife, Eleanor; his parents; one daughter, Carol Ann; one son, Daryl; grandsons, Ryan Privratsky and Benjamin Novotny; and one step-granddaughter, Toni Volke; four brothers, George, Christ, John and Adam; and four sisters, Rose, Frances, Eva and Pauline.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 240 East Broadway St., Dickinson ND 58601 or the Alzheimer’s Association at 112 West 3rd Street, Dickinson ND 58601
