Leo J. Haider

Redfield - Leo J. Haider, 78, of Redfield, S.D., died Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare Center in Redfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Fr. William Osborn will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Zell with full military rites. Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. all at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Leo was born May 12, 1926, in Zell to John and Emma (Pittman) Haider. He attended St. Mary's School in Zell. He served in the United States Army during WWII from 1945 to 1946. Leo married Patricia Holm on March 28, 1951, in Orient, S.D. Leo farmed and ranched near Zell for 47 years before retiring and moving to Redfield in 1997. He also served as a postal clerk at the Zell Post Office for 27 years. Leo enjoyed his years of farming and was especially proud of his herd of cattle. He loved hunting pheasants and deer and was an avid fisherman. He was a member of Clay Kiser American Legion Post #92 and Paul A. Schleher VFW Post #2755. Leo is survived by his wife Patricia Haider of Redfield, S.D.; his children: Mary (Russ) Saathoff of Estelline, S.D.; Steven Haider of Redfield, S.D.; James (Peggy) Haider of Redfield, S.D.; Jean (Jim) Esser of Redfield, S.D.; John Haider of Redfield, S.D.; and Sharol (Mike) Binger of Tulare, S.D., 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers: Pete Haider of Redfield, S.D.; and Dennis (Judy) Haider of Seattle, Wash.; and two sisters: Delphine Helsper of Farmington, Minn.; and Cecilia Abram of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and a sister-in-law Joan Haider of Lynwood, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Clarence, an infant brother and three sisters: Louise, Matilda and Rozella.