In Memory Of

Edwin S. Leer

October 2, 1933 ~ November 11, 2010

Edwin was born October 2, 1933, to Emil and Esther (Mahlum) Leer, in rural

McKenzie County, ND. He grew up in Alexander and graduated from Alexander

High School. After beating cancer as a young man, he married the love of his life,

Claire Quale, on December 26, 1954, in Alexander, where they lived and raised

their family.

A talented mechanic, Edwin overhauled his first car at age 10. After high school,

he attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, graduating

as a certified diesel mechanic in 1952. After graduation, he worked in Alexander as

a mechanic in Clarence Melland’s shop and at the Alexander Farmer’s Grain and

Oil gas station. In 1958, he began working as a mechanic at Jacobson Implement,

Alexander. In 1977, Edwin, Claire and partners bought the implement business and

renamed it ValEd Equipment. He continued working there after the business was

sold and until he retired in 2009.

In 1958, Edwin and Claire bought farmland about 13 miles south of Alexander,

on which they raised wheat and other grains until 2001.

Edwin was very active in and a huge booster of his community. He was a charter

member of the Alexander Lions Club; served on the Alexander school board for 12

years, including as president; and was a volunteer fireman. He was a lifelong mem-

ber of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council several times. He

also was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood and was actively involved in the

church’s annual lutefisk supper. For more than 50 years, he coordinated and served

the beans at the community’s annual Old Settlers Day picnic. Edwin also helped

develop and build the Alexander golf course and was an active member of the Alex-

ander Golf Club, including serving as president.

Nothing gave Edwin greater joy than his family. He was fun-loving, kind and

gentle and loved it most when his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

were all around him. He loved attending their sporting, music and other events and

was so proud of every one of them.

Edwin is survived by his five children, Loreeta Canton and her husband Don,

Bismarck; Wade Leer and his wife Belva, Williston; Lenore Romo and her special

friend Gene Berndt, Williston; Lanette Lushenko and her husband Mark, Canby,

OR; and Lazetta Leer and her fiancé Jeremy Kjos, Bismarck; 17 grandchildren,

Austen, Amanda and Adam Frank; Sarah, Matthew and Andrew Leer; Tanya

(Mike) Wilson, Lisa (Wes) Steppler, and Shawn Romo; Danielle, Hailie and Chris-

tian Lushenko; Alan Wigness, Tiara and Julianna Fuhrman, and Logan and Nicho-

las Kjos; five great-grandchildren; his sister Inga (Virgil) Bergstad, Bend, OR; aunt,

Margaret Leer Eikren, Alexander; sister-in-law, Wilma Leer, Ridgecrest, CA; sister-

and brother-in-law, Carol and Wally Sims, Billings, MT; brother- and sister-in-law,

Alan and Kathy Quale, San Mateo, CA; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and

friends.

Edwin was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; his parents; his brother, Eugene

Leer; and his grandson, Darin Romo.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful caregiv-

ers at the Baptist Home in Bismarck and to the nurses and doctors at Medcenter

One.

God hath not promised Skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways, All our lives through;

God hath not promised Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain.

But God hath promised Strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, Grace for the trials, Help from above,

Unfailing sympathy

Undying love…..

In Memory Of Edwin S. Leer

Date And Place Of Birth Date And Place of Death October 2, 1933 November 11, 2010 Rural Alexander, North Dakota Bismarck, North Dakota

Funeral Service 10:00 AM, Monday, November 15, 2010

Trinity Lutheran Church Alexander, North Dakota

Officiating Pastor Tim Swenson Pastor Nadine Lehr

Eulogy Ed’s Family

Musicians Eunice Sanders ~ Accompanist

Alan Wigness ~ Vocalist Amanda Frank & Andy Leer ~ Guitarists

Casketbearers Matt Leer Andy Leer Shawn Romo Alan Wigness Austen Frank Adam Frank Christian Lushenko

Honorary Bearers All of Ed’s Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren

Interment Rawson Cemetery

Rural Alexander, North Dakota

You may share your remembrances and condolences

with the family at the Fulkerson Funeral Home website

www.fulkersons.com