Leo Weinberger, aged 81, of Dickinson, died Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at St. Alexius Health Center in Bismarck, following a short illness. Leo’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team following the service. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Ron Keller presiding. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Leo was born in Glen Ullin on January 7, 1928, to Adam and Elizabeth (Seeberger) Weinberger. Leo and his six siblings were raised on a ranch about 15 miles southwest of Almont near his grandparents’ homestead.
At the age of 18, Leo began his service in the Army Air Force; during his service he was stationed at various locations, including a one year stint at the Adak Naval Station in the Aleutian Islands. Leo was honorably discharged from the Army Air Force on January 17, 1949.
Following his service to his country, Leo held various jobs in western Montana including eighteen months at the Badger Mine in Butte, Mont. before he moved to Glendive, Mont. in November, 1951 to work for the International Elevator Company which eventually became part of the Farmers’ Union Grain Terminal Association.
Leo married Florence Schneider on June 23, 1953, in Glen Ullin. From 1953 until 1976, Florence and Leo lived in Glendive, where they raised their six children. In 1976, Leo accepted a transfer to GTA in Dickinson. Dickinson is still the family’s home. Leo retired from GTA in 1990.
Leo enjoyed wood working, spending time with family, and traveling; during his later years, Leo enjoyed day trips to Medora, especially with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. His family and friends treasure the many pieces of furniture and other hand-made gifts Leo built.
Leo is survived by his loving wife, Florence; all six children, Dick (Shirley) Weinberger of Billings, Mont., Mary (Mike) Cook of Colorado Springs, Colo., Sharon (Bruce) Steiner, and Mike Weinberger, all of Dickinson, Tom (Susan) Weinberger of North Mankato, Minn., and Ann (Matt) Weinberger, of North Reading, Mass.; three brothers, Nick (Caroline) Weinberger of New Salem, John (Cecelia) Weinberger of Dickinson, and Billy (Lavon) Weinberger of Glen Ullin; six grandchildren, Jim, Mellissa (Nick) and Jessica Weinberger of Billings, Sherri (Justin) Steiner of Dickinson, and Tanya and Anika Cook of Colorado Springs; one great-grandson, Jayden Decker of Dickinson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leonard Schneider, Viola (Gene) Weinhardt, Jim (Micky) Schneider, Sylvester (Barbara) Schneider, Irene (Don) Moffett, Bernice (Joe) Walker, Laura (Fritz) Wehri, Leo (Mary Lou) Schneider, Willie (Le Rae) Schneider, Margie Dukart, Dorothy (Emil) Sauvageau, Rita (Bill) Wedell, and John Schneider; a nephew and good friends Vern and Rae Deen Weinberger, and many nieces and nephews. Leo was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Adam, Ed, Peter; and sisters Marion and Minnie. Leo will be missed by his many friends and loving family.
