Barbara Leier, 96, of Braddock, ND passed away peacefully at the family farm on Friday, March 15th, 2024. She had been the last surviving member of nine Mitzel siblings.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am, Friday, March 22, 2024 at St. Katherine's Catholic Church, Braddock with Fr. Mark Aune and Deacon Ken Wolbaum officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 21, 2024 from 5pm to 7pm with a vigil service at 7pm at the church in Braddock.

Barbara was born December 24, 1927, in rural Kintyre to Sebastian and Helen (Kraft) Mitzel. She moved to the Zeeland area as a young child and graduated from Zeeland High School in 1946.  Barbara taught in country schools for the following 3 years until she met her lifelong dancing partner.

On October 18, 1949, Barbara married Joseph C. Leier at St Andrews Catholic Church in Zeeland, ND and moved to Braddock, ND where she lived the entirety of her life. She was active in the area, joining the Pursian Lake Homemakers Club of which she was a member for over 50 years, serving as a lifelong member of St. Katherine's Altar Society, and was a member of the South Central Thrashers Association of which she was very proud to have served by kneading the dough used for fry bread at the annual threshing bee up until her early 90's. In her free time when she wasn't cooking, baking, sewing, and canning, she enjoyed quilting, crocheting, embroidering, and making potholders and kitchen hand towels which she happily gave away to friends and family.

The family would like to thank the CHI Health team, Lisa Moch, Karen Macdonald, and Megan Dooley for their loving care and support.

Barbara is survived by her children: Duane Leier, Braddock, Charlene (Marvin) Sickler, Burney, CA, Thomas Leier, Denver, CO, Elaine (Nick) Hyslop, Southlake, TX, Daren (Tina Gianakos) Leier, Fargo, ND; her grandchildren: Brad, Serena, Maika, Breann, Kyndra, Joseph and Matthew; her great grandchildren: Mia, Scarlett, Iliana, Grayson, Ryker, and Emmett. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Leier, parents: Sebastian and Mary (Kraft) Mitzel; her in-laws: Carl and Mary (Schatz) Leier and her siblings: Pete (Helen) Mitzel, Helen (Joe) Aberle, Fred (Rose) Mitzel, Johnny (died in infancy), Emma (Steve) Wolf, Frank (Agnes) Mitzel, Claudius (Frances), Eugene (died in infancy), and Irene.