G. RICHARD "Dick" LEET

G. Richard Leet George Richard (Dick) Leet, 88, formerly of Starkweather, ND, died early Monday morning October 5, 2015 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11:00 am at Trinity Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather, ND with Pastor Rob Buechler officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday, October 9th from 5 pm to 7 pm, with a time of remembrance at 6 pm. Serving as pallbearers for Dick will be Jason Leet, Samuel Erickstad, Richard Johnson, Timber Schwab, Mikael Leet and Matthew Leet. Dick was born on February 28th, 1927 at the family farm in rural Starkweather, ND, the son of Henry and Emma (Sollom) Leet, the oldest of two children. He was raised and graduated from Starkweather High School in 1945. He continued his education attending one year at University of North Dakota. He lived and worked in Baltimore, MD for one year before returning to work on the family farm located between Starkweather and Hampden, ND. Dick married Dorothy Reslock on November 14, 1954 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND. They established their home on the farm in rural Starkweather where they lived until 2000. Dick and Dorothy moved to Devils Lake and resided there until January 2015. Illness for both necessitated they move to the Good Samaritan Center in Lakota, ND. Dick’s occupation and passion was farming. He enjoyed improving his farmland, building grain storage, remodeling farmstead buildings and finding efficiencies in his farming practices. In particuler Dick would tirelessly spend time in the fall of the year surveying, constructing and cleaning waterways to drain sloughs. He was informed of regional water issues and was an advocate in support of farmer rights. Dick was very involved in the Starkweather Booster Club and spent much time organizing and building support in the construction of the senior apartments in Starkweather. Dick was honored as “Mr. Township” a Grass Roots Government Leadership Award, for decades of service holding officer positions of Royal Township, Ramsey County, ND. Dick enjoyed fishing and boating, but took a special interest in teaching his children, nieces/nephews and any one old enough to walk, to waterski. He and Dorothy loved their children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed visiting and building relationships with their siblings and nieces/nephews. They loved to travel and were called upon to pack up and move many people across the country. Dick was a lifelong member of the Elks Club and participated in the Odd Fellows. Dick had an infectious sense of humor and deep baritone laugh. Even with his failing sight the last 20 years, he would rarely miss identifying people by their voice. We will miss our dad, grandfather, uncle and friend as he has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will miss you with all our heart. Dick is survived by his loving family; brother Ralph Leet (Ione) of Bismarck, ND, daughter Sally Johnson and husband Doug of Pickstown, SD; son Larry Leet and wife Cindy of Yankton, SD; daughter Judy Leet of Webster, ND; and son Dan Viau of Valley City, ND. Grandchildren, Kari Nabinger (Ben), Richard Johnson, Rachael Wiens (Bradon), Emily Lange (Tim), Jason Leet (Rachel), Mikael Leet (Tracey), Matthew Leet, Amber Schwab (Timber), Samuel Erickstad, Katie Viau and Troy Viau. Dick and Dorothy enjoyed their 6 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, his parents and grandson Judd Viau. Online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com