Leo W. Zeren, 91, New England, died Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Leo’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, with Fr. Biju Chitteth as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military honors provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post 66. Visitation will be on Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue at the church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior services at the church on Saturday.

Leo was born May 5, 1922 at New England, the youngest of six children of Philip and Mary (Pawlitchek) Zeren. He was raised and educated at New England, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1939. He went to work at the Red Owl Store for a period of time prior to joining the military. Leo served honorably in the United States Army Air Corp from September 6, 1942 to November 30, 1945. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and was a B24 Flight Instructor.

He returned to New England to farm and in the winter time would work at the Gardener & Zeren Store. Leo was united in marriage to LaVonne Beaudoin on October 7, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. Together they farmed near New England, and raised their family of five, and retiring in 1990. His wife of 50 years, LaVonne, died on October 20, 2000. He moved to Dickinson and became a resident of Evergreen, and most recently at St. Benedict’s Health Center.

The heart of his life revolved around the F words: faith, family, friends, farming, football, fishing, and food. He was the first president of St. Mary’s Booster Club, president and founder of St. Mary’s School Foundation, a KC member, Jaycee’s, American Legion, Elks, and served on the fire department. He was a proud supporter of St. Mary’s athletics, and had even coached boys basketball.

Leo is survived by five children, Flip (Jodine) Zeren, Great Falls, Mont., Mary Pat (Scott) Boushee, East Grand Forks, Minn., Leslie (Dean) Wandler, New England, Lori (Jim) Goetz, Centennial, Colo., and Kathy (Brad) Novak, Centennial, Colo.; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne; his parents; and siblings, Arthur, Lloyd, Sylvester, Sister Eleanore, SSND, and Lorraine Utter.