Leonard Kleiter

Leonard Kleiter, 92, died November 7, 2008, at Hi-Acres Manor, Jamestown, ND. Services will be held 10:30 am Wednesday at Faith Evangelical Church, Crystal Springs, with Pastor Joan DeKrey officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 pm Wednesday in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Tuesday at Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel, Steele, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Leonard was born February 29, 1916, on his parents’ farm in Weiser Township, the son of August and Mary Miezner Kleiter. He attended rural school and later worked on his parents farm. He entered the service on May 27, 1942, at Fort Snelling, MN. He was stationed at Camp Wallace near Galvaston, TX, and later at the Douglas Aircraft Company where the company was on guard duty. He was discharged on March 2,1943, at Fort McArthur, CA. After he returned from service he worked for John Vellenga in Weiser Township and in 1944 he purchased the former A.P. Stott farm in Weiser Township. In 1948 Leonard married Lea Gruszie. The Kleiters were engaged in raising cattle and sheep, and grain farming. In 1953 they built a new home, later a new barn, double garage, sheep barn, and machine shed, building up the farm as the years went on. Leonard and Lea bought a farm north of Steele in 1978. In 1979, they sold the farm north of Tappen. They went on numerous bus tours which they really enjoyed. But, Leonard stated often he like the Alaska Tour the best. Lea died June 12, 1991. In 1994, Leonard sold the farm north of Steele and moved into the OK Motel in Steele. He enjoyed the visitation with Rodney and Mary Kuss and many other friends. Leonard entered Medcenter One Golden Manor in February 2007. He was moved to Hi-Acres Manor in Jamestown on July 15, 2008. Leonard was a member of the Woodwich McDonnow Legion Post in Steele, member of the American Legion Post 212 in Tappen, a member and Commander of the Miller Legion Post #27 in Steele, the Amvets, and a member of Faith Evangelical Church in Crystal Springs, ND. He served on the Weiser Township Board in earlier years. Leonard attended Faith Evangelical Church of Crystal Springs where he purchased a piano in memory of Lea. Leonard was a collector of pens, and enjoyed reconstructing antique horse collars for wall displays. He and Lea enjoyed many years of traveling together. Leonard is survived by niece, Ella Johnsen of Miles City, MT; and special friends, Raymond and Jeanette Kramlich of Crystal Springs, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lea; his parents; two brothers, Ted and Frankie Kleiter; and four sisters, Ida Engler, Clara Nelson, Sophia Frederick, and Laura Armstrong.

Leonard Kleiter

February 29, 1916 - November 7, 2008