Dennis Leith

Dennis was born March 23, 1942, to Kenneth and Mary (Connelly) Leith, and was the first of seven children. He was raised on the family farm near Devils Lake. The farm was placed in the Soil Bank Program and the family moved to Minot in the late 1950s. Dennis attended Bishop Ryan High School, where he held the state track record. After graduating, Dennis reconnected with a girl he knew in grade school, Mary Anderson. Mary defined true love for him and he knew he would spend his life with her.

Dennis and Mary were married June 20, 1962. Together they had four children: Sue, Sandy, Sharon and Daniel, who were the lights of his life. Dennis provided for his family as a salesman and bookkeeper for Metzger’s Electronics. He opened his own store, Minot TV and Appliance, on South Broadway in the late 1970s. After running his business successfully for many years, Dennis sold Minot TV and Appliance and began work as a tax accountant and bookkeeper until retirement. Never one to stay idle, Dennis soon began working part time at the Minot Air Force Base, where he made fast friends with both his co-workers and service members. It was through this job that he took home his beloved black lab Rosie, who never left his side.

Dennis was a committed community member. He believed strongly that giving back only cost time, and time is more valuable than money. He strove to better his community and himself through the Knights of Columbus and as president of the Magic Mile Merchants. In 1983, the Leiths were honored with the North Dakota Knights of Columbus Family of the Year. He shared the value of giving back with his family, and instilled an appreciation of service in his children.

He was devoted to his family, and relished the time he spent with them. Dennis and Mary enjoyed traveling both to enrich their bond and to share lifelong memories with their children. He delighted in his grandchildren, whom he indulged at any chance with movie nights and milkshakes in the morning “because milk counted as a breakfast food.” Dennis was an avid and skilled hunter, and brought many laughs to his deer camp companions. Helping his grandsons learn to hunt was one of the true joys of his life.

Dennis was preceded in death by: his parents; his beloved wife; and grandson, Brent Weston.

His memory will be carried on by: his children, Sue (Scott) Weston, Sandy Schwan, Sharon Njos and Daniel Leith; grandchildren, Nicholas and Mallory Schwan, Javen (Kat), Kevin and Joshua Weston, and Haley, Samantha and Megan Njos; siblings, Jim (Paul Good) Leith, Dale (Valerie) Leith, David (Betty) Leith, Mary Beth Leith, Anne (Marty) Riske and Judy (Lance) Sateren; along with many other cherished family members and friends.

His funeral will be: 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Burial: Dennis will be laid to rest next to his wife at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation will be: 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

A prayer service will be: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, in the church.

Memorials are preferred to: the donor’s choice or to Bishop Ryan High School or Kalix.

Arrangements have been made with Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonlarson. com.