LeRoy Laib, age 80 of Winona, MN, formerly of Mercer, ND, died Thursday, March 5, 2009 at a Winona care center.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 10 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mercer, ND with Rev. Randy Emgarten, officiating.

Interment will be held at a later date at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, south of Mercer.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Monday at the Goetz Funeral Chapel in Turtle Lake, ND.

LeRoy Laib, was born December 27, 1928 in Mercer, ND to Fred Laib, Jr. and Martha (Schlafman) Laib. He graduated from Mercer High School and the Capital Commercial College in Bismarck. He enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry, 7th regiment and achieved the rank of Corporal. He served during the Korean War and received 2 Purple Hearts and numerous other medals. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He married Ellen Cutsforth on June 30, 1955 in Bismarck. They were later divorced but remained friends. He lived in North Dakota until 1956, moving to Wisconsin, and then to the Winona, MN area in 1966. He was a bookkeeper for Mastercraft Industries in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and also for Miller Waste Mills in Winona, Minnesota. LeRoy retired in 1990 and moved back to Mercer, ND to spend time with his mother and siblings. In 2003, he returned to Winona to be near his children and their families. LeRoy was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mercer as well as an honorary member of Immanuel Lutheran Church (Silo) of Lewiston, MN. He enjoyed fishing, camping, biking and bus trips. His favorite fishing spot was Lake Barker in Winter, Wisconsin, a great Muskie lake. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and also a member of the American Legion Post #133 in Turtle Lake, ND and the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

He is survived by one son, Timothy (Laurie) of Winona, three daughters, Melinda (Vern) Adkins of Winona, SuEllyn of Seattle, WA, & LeAnn (Erv) Schreiber of Winona. 7 grandchildren, Vern Adkins of San Jose, CA, Angela (Joe) York of Rushford, MN, Chris (Anja) Adkins of Birkenfeld, Germany, Jenna Laib of Winona, Jordan, Malissa and Adam Schreiber of Winona. 3 great-grandchildren, Megan and Hunter York of Rushford, MN and Lillian Adkins of Birkenfeld, Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother (Meinhart), infant sister (Loretta), sister-in-law (Doris), and two nephews (Marvin and Bobby).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, March 15, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church (Silo) in Lewiston, Minnesota with Pastor Meilner, officiating.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Cemetery of rural Mercer, North Dakota.