Alois "Al" Leier, age 90, passed away peacefully Sunday morning May 22, 2022 at Prairie Rose Apartments in Linton, ND.  His passing to eternal life was as peaceful as his character.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton, with Father Jordan Dosch officiating. Prior to Mass Beryl Hood will lead a rosary starting at 10:00. Myers Funeral Home of Linton will be live streaming Al's service for any family and friends that can't attend at www.Myersfh.com under his obituary.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with prayer service/rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton, ND.

Burial will take place following the service in the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery.

Al was born on February 24, 1932 to Carl and Mary (Schatz) Leier on his family farm 14 miles southwest of Napoleon, ND.  He was one of 10 children.  He and his family were devout Catholics and members of St. Boniface Catholic Parish located southwest of Napoleon, ND.

Al attended school through the 8 ^th grade in a one-room school located just two miles from his farm. Al, like many other farm youths, was needed on the farm, especially during WWII, so he did not attend high school. Al worked hard alongside his parents and siblings, contributing to their farm's success. On September 23, 1952 Alois married the love of his life, Magdalena "Madge" Reis, his childhood sweetheart and the first girl he dated. Madge grew up on a farm only five miles north of the Leier farm and was also a member of the St. Boniface community.

In 1953, Al and Madge purchased a diversified farm 18 miles northeast of Linton. There they raised two girls and six boys. Ever the mentor and agriculturalist, Al served as a 4-H leader for several years and produced seed grade hard red spring wheat. In 1974, Al and Madge expanded their dairy operation. That same year they received the Outstanding Agriculturalist Award for Emmons County. Thereafter, Al and Madge received numerous annual Bridgeman Quality and Land O'Lakes Master Milk Producer Awards.

Al and Madge farmed for over 40 years.  They enjoyed the bountiful years and grew ever deeper in their relationship during the challenging drought years. Al endured as a farmer despite needing major back surgery in 1966 and suffering 3 ^rd degree burns over 40% of his body from a farm accident in 1981. Through it all he didn't complain but simply endured. We are grateful for his recovery from these and other less severe mishaps. In 1992 they moved into their newly built home in Linton, ND.

Al was also active off the farm. He was appointed as a Soil Conservation District Supervisor and served on several committees over a 23-year span. In 1975, Al was elected state president of the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts. He became a bank director for The First National Bank of Linton from 1970 to 1992.  When the bank became BNC National Bank in 1992, Al continued his directorship role for several more years. He also served on the Nodak Homes Corporation, an organization whose mission is to improve housing for elderly Linton residents, and at one time he was a director for the Rural Fire District.  Al cared greatly about others, which was evident in so many ways through his love of family, friends and the communities he lived in. His goal was always seeking to make this world a better and more peaceful place.

While on the farm, Al and Madge were members of St. Michael's Catholic Church.  Both taught religion classes, belonged to a Marriage Encounter Circle, and served as "Ma and Pa" several times for Search, a Catholic youth experience weekend. Al was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5955 in Linton. They became members of St. Anthony parish when they moved into Linton.

Madge was a resident in the Strasburg Care Facility for 3 ½ years.  During that time, Al would drive to Strasburg every day to see her, either having lunch or supper with her. Madge passed away on July 21, 2015.  Their marriage of nearly 63 years is a great example of a devoted and enduring love.

Al was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and mentor to so many people. He was a man of few words but had superb listening skills. When Al spoke or responded in a conversation, his wise and sound advice was evident. His peaceful and gentle demeanor permeated a room. When on a phone call with Al, he was silent so long that you wondered if the phone disconnected, but he was always there listening intently. His wisdom and silence will be greatly and deeply missed.

Al is survived by his children Bruce (Judy) Leier, Linton ND; Terry (Patty) Leier, Marion IA; Roberta Baumgartner, Bismarck ND; Larry (Rosalind) Leier, Hague ND; Paul (Sheila) Leier, Fargo ND; Charles (Joleen) Leier, Bismarck ND; and Mark (Bonnie) Leier, Fargo ND, along with 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by brothers Chris (Viola) Leier, Linton ND, Tony (Alvera) Leier, Kintyre ND and Carl (Jolene) Leier, Columbus OH, brother-in-law Victor (Barbara) Wald, Napoleon ND and sisters-in-law Barbara (Joe) Leier, Braddock ND and Angeline (Ed) Geiger, Bismarck ND, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Al was preceded in death by a daughter Bernadette (1963), son-in-law Daniel K. Baumgartner (2000), three brothers, Joseph, Andrew (WWII), and Sebastian (infant), and three sisters, Margaret, Rose and Mary (infant). Also preceding Al in death were brothers-in-law Steve Meier, Peter Reis, Pius Reis, and Ed Geiger, and sister-in-law Barbara Wald, as well as in-laws Tony and Eva Huber, Peter and Helen Wickenheiser, Sebastian and Lorraine Reis, John and Clara Schweitzer, Jack and Theresa Dutt, and Karl and Caroline Schatz.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Prairie Rose Apartments in Linton.  The accommodations and staff are remarkable. It truly is a place filled with loving and caring staff, residents and neighbors.  We also thank the staff of Linton Regional Medical Center for their professional medical support. Thank you to all who visited Dad during his time at the apartment facility. He appreciated all visitors. Also, thank you to Fr. Jason Dosch and the staff of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Linton, and all who brought communion to him. He really appreciated the graces it brought to him.