LeRoy M. Weiszhaar

LeRoy M. Weiszhaar, 91, of Leola, SD, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church, Leola, SD, with Pastor Judy Schultz officiating. The family requests casual attire. 

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.

Burial will be after the luncheon at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Aberdeen, with Military Honors by American Legion Post 78 of Leola.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, at the mortuary with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church.

The family prefers memorials be sent in lieu of flowers. 

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SchriversMemorial.

LeRoy M. Weiszhaar was born September 23, 1932, to George & Mathilda (Rieger) Weiszhaar at the family home in Rural Western, SD. He attended school in Mobridge and Country School in Java Hoven area.

After leaving home, he decided to go to California to look for work. He worked for Lockheed until he was drafted into the Army. LeRoy was stationed in Ford Ord in California before he went overseas. He served in active duty in the Korean Conflict for 18 months. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

LeRoy was united in marriage to Joan Geffre on September 19, 1956, in Leola, SD. They lived on several different farms northeast of Leola, where they raised their four children: Wade, Kent, Pam, and Kristi. LeRoy did custom hay hauling for many years. In 1968, they moved to their current farm and ranch two miles west of Leola. He broke and trained horses; his family and friends can attest to many outrageous horse stories and crazy horse sales. LeRoy loved reading, especially old westerns, and watching old western movies and puzzles. His wife Joan, farming, and ranching were the three things he loved most in life.

LeRoy was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 78. He served as commander for several years and Sergeant of Arms for 50 years. He was also a member of 40 and 8 for 41 years. In 2004, LeRoy was rewarded with a Korean Peace Medal for the time he dedicated to serving in the Korean Conflict. He was a founding member and first President of the Leola Trail Riders Saddle Club. LeRoy was also on the board of Directors for Leola Equity Exchange for several years. He was a faithful lifetime member of St. James Lutheran Church, which he helped construct.

Grateful for having shared LeRoy’s life are his wife of 67 years, Joan; children: Wade (Judy) Weiszhaar of Leola, Kent (Deb) Weiszhaar of Leola, Pam Weiszhaar of Aberdeen, and Kristi (Dan) Sosa of Aberdeen; brother, Lyle Weiszhaar of Aberdeen; grandsons: Chad (Tiffany) Weiszhaar of Leola, Brady (Katie) Weiszhaar of Leola, Aaron (Adriana Rodriquez) Sosa of Plano, TX, and Andy Sosa, of Aberdeen; granddaughters: Wendi (Troy) Weig of Mina, Heather (Mike) Trivelli of Phoenix, AZ, Heidi (Mitchell) Locke of Groton, Natalie (Daniel) Lawson of Fargo, ND, and Nicole (Eric) Cease of Bath; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LeRoy M. Weiszhaar, please visit our floral store.