Stephen McLeish

Stephen McLeish, 64, of Braddock, ND, passed away at his winter home in San Antonio, TX, surrounded by his family and friends on April, 16, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. Stephen was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Funeral services will be will be held April, 24, 11:00 AM at McCabe United Methodist Church, 6th & Blvd., Bismarck, ND, with Rev. Gary Walters officiating. The family is welcoming friends and relatives to join them in celebrating Stephen's life at the service and a fellowship time following the service in the Great Hall at the church. He was born on August 8, 1945, in Dighton, Kansas, to Thurman and Melvena Beahm McLeish. Stephen attended elementary school in Dighton and graduated from Dighton High School. He then graduated with a degree in animal science from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Co. He also served in the North Dakota Army Reserves. In 1969 he was united in marriage to Bettie Glatt in Napoleon, ND. In 1976 they moved to Costa Rica with their two young daughters Stephanie and Sarah, where he operated a rice, sorghum and Brahma cattle ranch. While living there, he became fluent in the Spanish language. He introduced the center pivot irrigation system and many other innovations to the Costa Rican farmers. In 1986 they moved to Jacksonville, FL. where Stephen helped create Caribbean Fisheries, a business which imported fish from Central America and Mexico. In 1988, they moved back to the family farm at Braddock, ND, where he ranched, farmed and ran a custom feeding operation. Most recently, he worked for Sar Tec Corp., an animal nutrition company, traveling to numerous areas within the US as well as Mexico. Stephen was a talented woodworker, creating numerous pieces of furniture for their home. He loved music and played the saxophone in his high school band and instrumental groups. In college he took up guitar and was a member of a rock band. Stephen earned his private pilot license while in high school. He had a passion for building and flying model airplanes, a hobby he shared with his family. He found pleasure and joy in all activities involving the ocean, the great outdoors as well as his travels back to Costa Rica with family and friends. Survivors are his wife Bettie, daughters Stephanie Greg Schaefer, Canyon Lake, TX. and Sarah McLeish, Santa Barbara, CA. His mother and stepfather Melvena and Howard Bier, Bismarck; brother Jim Yvonne McLeish, Hazelton; nephew Michael Kim McLeish and niece Meriah McLeish; stepbrothers Jerry Bier, Dennis Bier Wendy and their children Claire and Jack; step sister Susan Neal Bier- Pointer. Also surviving are 10 in-law brothers, sisters and their spouses and 50 in-law nieces and nephews who called him "uncle"; special aunt, Edna Mumma, Garden City, KS; a number of cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Thurman McLeish. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society, 1102 S Washington St., Bismarck, 58504. Stephen is now free to fly where he feels most at peace. "The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? It is the same the angels breathe."-Mark Twain

Stephen McLeish

August 8, 1945 - April 16, 2010