Leo Lesmeister, 80, Dickinson, ND, died Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck, ND. Leo’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2007 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the Halliday Cemetery at approx. 1:30 p.m.. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary led by Jim Lesmeister and vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Jerry Volk presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Leo Lesmeister was born March 9, 1927 at Halliday, ND, the son of Stephen and Maria Eva (Gerhart) Lesmeister. He was raised and educated in Halliday having graduated from Halliday High School. Leo married Joyce Mosset on October 8, 1946 in Dodge, ND.
Leo resided in Halliday until moving to Dickinson in 1995. While in Halliday he served as the Post Master for 33 years. Being a very civic minded man, he was involved in many organizations and community activities. The passions of his included being a Boy Scout leader, Halliday School Board member, Fire Chief for 50 years, Mayor for 20 years, NAPUS member and active in the Retired Postmasters organization, one of the states first EMT’s and volunteered with the ambulance service. He enjoyed volunteer work and loved to give of himself to the community.
Leo loved and cherished family time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed bowling, golf, traveling, playing games with the children, cards, gardening, working in his orchard, and listening and dancing to music.
Leo married Gerry Badinger on November 24, 1995 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, and moved to and resided in Dickinson since.
Leo is survived by his wife, Gerry; his six children, Janie (Ed) Williams, Dickinson, Janice (Duane) Wolf, Bismarck, Jim (Marolynn) Lesmeister, Halliday, Jeff (Marilyn) Lesmeister, Corvallis, OR, Joel (Julie) Lesmeister, Bismarck, and Julie Lesmeister, Bismarck; daughter-in-law, Karol Lesmeister, Reeder, ND; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; seven step-children, Cheryl Badinger, Champlin, MN, Dean (Sandy) Badinger, Fargo, ND, Cory (Barb) Badinger, Fargo, Myles (Shelley) Badinger, Dickinson, Barry (Toni) Badinger, Andover, MN, John Badinger, Bismarck, and Susi (Scott) Link, Champlin, MN; 14 step-grandchildren; seven step, great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marcella Hartman, Killdeer, ND, Katherine Oderman, Irene (Joe) Hartman, and Bernice Fox, Billings, MT; and one brother, William Lesmeister, Rochester, MN. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jack and John; his parents; and three brothers, Tony, Fred and Harry.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Halliday Fire Protection District.
