Leroy Leland, 89, Sidney, MT

Funeral services for Leroy Leland, 89, Sidney, MT, were Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at 1 p.m. MST at the Squaw Gap Hall, McKenzie County, ND, with Pastor Tim Tharp officiating. A luncheon followed the service for a time of fellowship and sharing. Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, assisted the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures were shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Leroy Ernest Leland was born in Sidney, MT on Aug. 23, 1934, to Ernest and Johren (Gulbraa) Leland. He was raised in the rural area near Squaw Gap, ND. He attended a one-room country schoolhouse, 1st-8th grade. He attended high school in Sidney, MT 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, WA, and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is the only soldier in McKenzie County, ND 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 school teacher named Virginia Kuykendall who taught at Leland School and boarded at his parents' home. Leroy and Virginia were married in Cartwright, ND 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 Jan. 17, 2024, at the Sidney Health Center, Sidney, MT, with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children: Kathy (Gary) Skarda, Keene, ND; Susie (John) Irwin, Alexander, ND; Nancy (Leif) Jellesed, Charlson, ND; and Ken (Karen) Leland, Sidney, MT; his grandchildren: Courtney (Luke) Taylor, Watford City, ND; Kyle Jellesed, Minot, ND; Ty (Sarah) Skarda, Keene, ND; Katie (Kellen) Longie, Keene, ND; Brett Skarda, Bismarck, ND; Myre (Nick) Cross, Glendive, MT; Sam (Robbyn) Irwin 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, Squaw Gap, ND; Gary (Georgia) Leland, Havre, MT; and Joe Leland, Sidney, MT; sister-in-law: Jeanie Leland, 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.