Leora Graner

Leora Graner, 93, Bismarck, passed away at Augusta Place on Saturday, July 10, 2021. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 15 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Leora was born on April 15, 1928, to Paul and Clara (Johnson) Balling.  She was raised and educated in the Fort Rice area, attending country schools. Following graduation from high school, Leora attended Dickinson State College, where she received a teaching degree and starting teaching at the age of 17. 

On February 14, 1949, she married John Graner at the Huff Catholic Church. They made their home in Mandan, until moving to Bismarck in 1962. Together they ran Graner Construction. Leora not only took care of the office side of things but was never afraid to pick up a paint brush or help with any other job that needed to get done. In 1985, John decided it was time to retire from Graner Construction and Leora went to work for Sears. She worked in the shipping and receiving department for 11 years before retiring.

Together, Leora and John enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards, trips to the casino and many fun road trips with her sister and brother-in-law.  She also loved playing many hours of scrabble with her friend Arlene, getting together with her sister-in-law and planning gag gifts for all the kids at Christmas time.  At a young age, Leora’s mother taught her how to play the piano, a talent she shared with her family throughout the years.

Leora is survived by her children, Becky Christensen, Bismarck, Paulette (Doug) Rosenbaum, Bismarck, and John (LaJona) Graner, Tucson, Ariz.; one son-in-law, Wayne Stoppler, Bismarck; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother, George Balling, Mandan and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one daughter, Joan Stoppler; son-in-law, Kaj Christensen; sisters, Noreen Hilfer, Delores Gahnz and an infant sister.