Willie J Leno

Willie J. Leno, 91, Bismarck, died November 10, 2015, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 14, at English Lutheran Church, Tuttle, with Rev. Valerie Kinlan officiating. Burial will be at the Tuttle Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Friday, November 13, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Avenue, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. William “Willie” was born April 24, 1924, southwest of Tuttle, ND, the son of Jacob and Caroline (Rivinius) Leno. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. Willie married Esther Munsch on March 3, 1949, in Steele, ND, and the couple farmed northwest of Tuttle. In 1974, they moved into Tuttle and Willie continued to farm and served as the city maintenance man for 15 years. In 1993, Willie semi-retired and he and Esther moved to Bismarck. His nephew, Calvin, continues to farm his land, and up until about three years ago, Willie helped with harvest. Willie enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers and friends, woodworking and made several large pieces of furniture for their home, playing cards and bowling. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Willie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Esther, Bismarck; one daughter, Karen Hamilton, Bismarck; one son, Wesley (Sherry), Bismarck; three grandchildren, Michael Hamilton, Bismarck, Samantha Leno, Fargo, and Kevin (Sara) Leno, Lincoln; one great-granddaughter, Brooke Marie Leno; one brother, Art Leno, San Antonio, TX; one sister, Freda Jochim, Tacoma, WA; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Linda Leno, Bismarck, Doris Leno, Bismarck, Gwen Leno, Apple Valley, MN, Don (Sharon) Dethloff, Coeur d'Alene, ID, and Rueben (Clara) Munsch, Dickinson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jake, Albert, Harold, Edwin, Adam and Leo; and his sisters, Clara Krein, Elizabeth Krein, and Tillie Quinzer. The family would like to thank the staff of Dakota Travel Nurse, especially Evalyn, Alison, and Nanzy for their superior care during Willie’s illness.