Leroy Leland, 89, Sidney, MT

Funeral services for Leroy Leland, 89, of Sidney, Montana are Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm MST at the Squaw Gap Hall in McKenzie County, North Dakota with Pastor Tim Tharp officiating. A luncheon will follow the service for a time of fellowship and sharing. Visitation is Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Sidney, Montana. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, MT is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Leroy Ernest Leland was born in Sidney, Montana on August 23, 1934, to Ernest and Johren (Gulbraa) Leland. He was raised in the rural area near Squaw Gap, North Dakota. Here he attended a one room country schoolhouse, first through eighth grade. He attended high school in Sidney, Montana where he roomed and boarded during the school week in town. He graduated high school in 1952. While in high school he was involved in sports and was asked to play football by college recruiters.

Leroy chose to stay and work on the family ranch on Bennie Peer Creek in Squaw Gap, until enlisting in the army on June 1, 1954. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He is the only soldier in McKenzie County, North Dakota who was involved with the atomic bomb testing, at the Nevada proving grounds. Leroy was honorably discharged on March 2, 1956, and returned to work on the family ranch. During this time, he met a young schoolteacher named Virginia Kuykendall who taught at Leland School and boarded at his parents' home. Leroy and Virginia were married in Cartwright, North Dakota on June 6, 1958.

Leroy and Virginia were life partners. Virginia was the love of his life. They ranched together on Bennie Peer Creek where they raised three daughters and a son. Leroy loved and took special care of his family and livestock. He was a good cowman. No matter the season or weather conditions he always worked long, hard hours to ensure the cattle had the best care he could give them. He spent hours making sure the gates to the dikes on the hay fields were operational to ensure a hay crop for the year. Leroy was an equal opportunity employer, who enlisted the help of his wife, daughters, and son on the ranch wherever needed.

Leroy was a kind, quiet man with a great sense of humor that his family was fortunate to experience on a daily basis. He loved his family, working the ranch, and the Squaw Gap community. He especially enjoyed visiting and having a drink with neighbors and friends in the bunkhouse at the ranch.

Leroy peacefully passed away on January 17, 2024, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children Kathy (Gary) Skarda of Keene, ND, Susie (John) Irwin of Alexander, ND, Nancy (Leif) Jellesed of Charlson, ND, and Ken (Karen) Leland of Sidney, MT; his grandchildren Courtney (Luke) Taylor of Watford City, ND, Kyle Jellesed of Minot, ND, Ty (Sarah) Skarda of Keene, ND, Katie (Kellen) Longie of Keene, ND, Brett Skarda of Bismarck, ND, Myre (Nick) Cross of Glendive, MT, Sam (Robbyn) Irwin of Alexander, ND, Marni (James) Oliver of Savage, MT, and Rory (Mandy) Irwin of Edgemont, SD; six great-grandchildren with two more on the way; brothers Myron (Ardehl) Leland of Squaw Gap, ND, Gary (Georgia) Leland of Havre, MT, and Joe Leland of Sidney, MT; sister-in-law Jeanie Leland of Sidney, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leroy is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Johren Leland; sister and brother-in-law Marjorie and Dave Crighton; brother Raymond "Ricky" Leland, father- and mother-in-law Jim and Doris Kuykendall; and brother-in-law Nels Boe.