Leo D. Weber

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Leo Dominic Weber was born February 7, 1916, in Pearl Lake, MN, to George and Anna (Court) Weber. In 1919, the family moved to Ada, MN. Leo's mother passed away in 1931. Due to the strain of the depression, Leo lived with and worked for the Carl Christianson family following his mother's passing.

In March 1941, during World War II, Leo was one of the first soldiers from Norman County to be drafted into the United States Army and became a member of the 48th Mobile Surgical Hospital Unit following the front lines through Africa and Europe. Leo served the Army as a surgical assistant. He was honorably discharged from the Army on November 19, 1946, and was the last member of his unit to return to the United States, becoming one of the longest serving soldiers of World War II. Following his discharge from the military, Leo returned to Norman County, purchased farmland, and began a successful farming career.

In 1947, Leo met the love of his life on a blind date. He was united in marriage to Geraldine "Jerry" Hilde on February 14, 1948. They made their home, raising four children, near Borup, MN, where Leo farmed. In 1966, the family moved into Moorhead, MN, continuing the farming operation in Borup. Leo and Jerry were married for 57 years until her passing in 2005.

During his farming career, Leo became one of the first board members of the Felton Farmer's Coop Elevator. He also served as a board member for the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Grower's Association. During his tenure, American Crystal was purchased by area farmers. Leo was instrumental in getting the first outside piling station by Felton, MN. Through farming, Leo also developed a bond currently extending over fifty years with the Gregorio and Amada Martinez family of Laredo, Texas. Although Leo's sons, Mark and Tim, took over the farming operation in the early 1980s, Leo continued to find his way into tractors and combines well until his late eighties. In his final years, he enjoyed regular Saturday visits to the farm with his son Greg, to check in on the operation during every season.

Much of Leo's life was filled with being a devoted and loving husband to Jerry, acting as her sole caregiver as she fought a courageous forty-year battle with MS. Leo enjoyed playing bridge, visiting with other farmers, cars, traveling, and golfing. Leo's greatest joy in life was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Leo passed away peacefully on June 25, 2012, at his home in River Pointe in Moorhead, surrounded by his family, at the age of ninety-six. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Hospice of the Red River Valley and River Pointe of Moorhead for the exceptional level of care they provided Leo in his final days.

Leo is survived by his sons, Greg, Fargo, Mark (Natalie), and Tim (Kim), both Borup, MN; his daughter, Lisa Weber, Fargo; grandchildren, Jessica Weber, Jenny (Casey) Davis, Kristy (Andrew) Budde, Jon Ogaard, Olivia Ogaard, Christian Ogaard, Sydney Weber, Tara (Brad) Jensen, Camille Weber, Tyler Weber, and Katelyn Weber; great-grandchildren, Peter, Charlotte, Jameson, and Stella Davis, Mollie Budde, and Jack Jensen; brother, Harry (Sylvia) Weber; and sisters, Regina (Melvin) Eggen and Helen Krueger; sisters-in-law, Barb Hilde and Dorothy Weber; his extended Martinez family in Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine; parents, George and Anna; brothers, Al, Roman, and John; and sister, Clara.

Visitation: Thursday, June 28, 2012, from 5 - 7 PM, Prayer Service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Funeral: Friday, June 29, 2012, 11 AM, at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead

Burial: Friday, June 29, 2012, at 2:30 PM, at the Felton Cemetery, Felton, MN.