Nick Joseph Leiphon

Nick J. Leiphon, 93 of Devils Lake formerly of Crary, ND passed away on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of his wife and children and Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Nick will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Don Leiphon will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Nick will be Ryan Mathern, Wade Mathern, Jeff Sparrow, Devin Helm, Bryce Helm, Eugene Leiphon and Peter Hager. Reading the Scriptures will be John Frelich and the Gift Bearers will be Nick’s Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Music will be provided by Russell and Lynda Pearson. Nick Joseph was born on January 19, 1918 at Devils Lake, ND the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Steffan) Leiphon. He grew up on the family farm in Minnewaukan Township, rural Devils Lake and also attended the Minnewaukan Township School. Nick was united in marriage to Veronica Schall on October 26, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crary, ND. They made their home in Southam for four years, then on a farm northeast of Devils Lake for 12 years. In 1965, they moved to Devils Lake where they lived and worked through the years. Nick worked at Lake Supply for 2 years, then in 1967 he started to work at Lake Region Junior College and was employed there for 17 years. He then worked at the Lake Region Heritage Center for nine years, retired and continued to make Devils Lake his home. Nick was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, rural Crary and then St. Joseph Catholic Church after moving to Devils Lake. Nick took great pride and great care of his yard. He was winner of “Yard of the Month” more than once and always found great pleasure and peace as he toiled. Nick is survived by his wife Veronica of 62 years; son Dennis Leiphon of Portland, Oregon; daughters and son-in-law Rosemary Leiphon Mathern of Bismarck and Diane and Rich Ziegler of Mandan; five grandchildren Ryan (Katie) Mathern, Wade (Katie) Mathern and Heather (Jeff) Mathern-Sparrow all of Bismarck, Jennifer (Devin) Ziegler-Helm of Mandan and Sarah Ziegler of Bismarck; two great grandchildren Bryce and Bailee Helm, two step great grandchildren Alyssa and Alexa Knoll and three great grandchildren soon to be born; sister Angeline Hager, Devils Lake and many nieces and nephews and their families. Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Elizabeth; brothers Joe, John and Paul Leiphon and sisters Eva Leiphon and Regina Frelich.