Jerry M. Leier

Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry M. Leier of Esmond, North Dakota will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond, North Dakota at 10:30 AM on February 23, 2026, with his son, Fr. Darrick Leier celebrating. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 14, 2026, at St. Aloisius Long Term Care in Harvey, North Dakota.

Jarlath Macarton Leier was born on March 7, 1932, to John and Magdalena (Bartsch) Leier on the homestead farm in Benson County, North Dakota. That name was soon shortened, and everyone knew him as Jerry. He was the fourth of 15 children to grow up on that farm. He attended grade school at Rich Valley and graduated from high school at the Maddock Agricultural School in 1951. He attended a farm short course at North Dakota State University and came back to begin farming with his father.

Jerry met the love of his life, Marvelyn Duklet, after she started teaching at the East Fork Township school. Jerry and Marvelyn were married on October 15, 1958, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond, North Dakota. They farmed in Rich Valley Township, eventually moving onto the homestead farm where they raised four children.

Jerry was an exceptional farmer, rancher, and businessman. On top of doing everything that goes along with farming, raising cattle, and raising a family, Jerry was active in the Esmond community and St. Boniface Parish. He was on the Rich Valley Township board; was a precinct committee chairman and active in the Republican party; served on the school board for the Esmond Public School; a Third-Degree Knights of Columbus member; and he and Marvelyn served as a crew for the Esmond Ambulance. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and looked forward to opening weekend of deer season with family, and trips north to Flin Flon, Manitoba to fish with his brothers and sons. His venison sausage recipe, perfected over years, remains legendary throughout the family and is always requested by the grandchildren.

He is survived by their four children: Paula Leier-Engelhardt (Steve), Green Bay Wisconsin; Paul (Angie), Fargo, North Dakota; David, Bismarck, North Dakota; and Fr. Darrick, Carrington, North Dakota; eight grandchildren, Brittney, Michaela, Kaden, Dalton, Daniel, Christopher, Miriah, and Ryan; and four great grandchildren, Briar, Brenner, Thora, and Lilly.

He is also survived by siblings Vivian, Elaine, Beatrice, Lois, Jackie, Clement, Lynn, Dianne, Jon, Dwight, Maxine, and Michael.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marvelyn; his parents, John and Magdalena; his brother, Patrick; and his sister, Jean.

Jerry lived more than 14 years after his beloved wife Marvelyn passed away from cancer. Every one of those days without her was a struggle for him, but he learned to lean on God. His Catholic faith meant everything to him. He became a prayer warrior, and he offered up all his sufferings to the Lord for his family that he loved so dearly.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep with the sacraments of the Church. He will be remembered with love and dearly missed.

Memorials in honor of Jerry and a life well-lived may be sent to the St. Boniface Cemetery Fund: P.O. Box 206 Esmond, ND 58332 or to the Buffalo Lake Sportsman Club: P.O. Box 64 Esmond, ND 58332.

May his memory forever be a blessing.