Lillian Leiss

She was, and always will be the matriarch of the family, and she now rests in peace. Lillian Lorraine Kadrmas Leiss, passed away peacefully at 5:40 PM on Saturday, June 4th from natural causes, at St. Benedict?s Health Center, in Dickinson with most of her loving family by her side. She provided joy, love, companionship and an example of how people should live and lead their lives. Lillian was born on March 1st, 1920 a block and a half from the present St. Wenceslaus Church, where her funeral mass will be celebrated. She was born in the home of her grandfather John Kubik, to Joseph F. and Kristina ?Barta? Kubik. Lillian was raised on the family farm 13 miles North of Dickinson in a 2 room house with a attic bedroom with 8 other siblings. She graduated from the 8th grade at Tabor School # 1 in Dunn County in May 1934. In 1938 Lillian and her sister Alice moved to Dickinson where they worked at various jobs. While on the farm, Lillian lived only a mile and a half from John M. Leiss, who would later become her great partner in life. Lillian and John were married on November 25th, 1940, moved to Spokane, Washington for two years where their son Lee was born. John and Lillian moved back to the family farm in early 1943, and farmed until 1950, when they moved to Gladstone. 5 more children were born to this union; Johnny in 1944, Dwight in 1945, Lois in 1948, Alan in 1951 and Bruce in 1955. Daughter Lois passed away 3 days after birth in November of 1948, husband John died in 1996, and both Dwight and Johnny, Dickinson?s number one sports fan, and Mother Lillian?s favorite both passed away from pancreatic cancer; Dwight in 2001, and Johnny in 2006. In June of 1950 the Leiss?s bought the Confectionary and Bar from Mike Adamski renaming it Johnny?s Bar. John and Lillian owned, operated and leased it to other parties from 1950 through 1968. Lillian during those years was a favorite of the students in the Gladstone school system as she served as one of their great cooks. John and Lillian moved to Dickinson in 1973. Lillian was active in the Eagles Auxiliary, and was later named ?Mother of the Year? for the special care she gave her special son Johnny. During her earlier years in Gladstone, she was also an active member of the St. Thomas Altar Society, and the Gladstone Homemakers Club, of which she wrote their preamble. Lillian Leiss is survived by 3 sons, Lee ?Darlene? Leiss of Dickinson, Alan ?Lynn? Leiss of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Bruce ?Renae? Leiss of Dickinson. Lillian is also survived by 12 Grand Children including Kent Leiss of Coeur d? Alene, Idaho, Shawn ?Laura? Leiss, Dickinson, Honey ?John? Sayler, Coeur d? Alene, Idaho, Mike ?Jan? Leiss, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Laura ?Mike? Marshak, St Paul, Minnesota, Brian ?Cherie? Smith Vancouver, Washington, Kevin ?Tiffany? Smith Ridgefield, Washington, Jeff Leiss, Milwaukee, Oregon, Lana ?Sheldon? Gordon of Dickinson, Landon and Preston Leiss, Dickinson, and Ashlyn Leiss, Fargo. 12 Great Grand Children and 48 nieces and nephews also survive, along with her two brothers, Henry Kadrmas, and friend Francis, Dickinson, Joe and Donna Kadrmas, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin sister, Alice ?Jerome? Herauf, Van Nuys, California, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Pete and Rose Leiss, and sister in law Ann ?Ludwig? Kadrmas. Lillian was also preceded in death by her half brother Vince ?Victoria? Barta, Dickinson, half sister Bessy ?Emil? Pavlicek, Dickinson along with two brothers, Ludwig ? Kadrmas, Dickinson, and Robert ?Angie? Kadrmas, Dickinson, and a brother ?Dorman? who died at birth. Also four sisters in law; Mrs. Mike ?Mary? Baumann, and Mrs. Joe ?Margaret? Dillinger, and Vi ?Hank? Kadrmas; and two brother?s in law; Joe ?Rose Frederick? Leiss and Anton ?Elenor? Leiss. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 9 PM Tuesday June 7th with a prayer service scheduled that evening at 7:00 PM assisted by Deacon Robert Stockert. Funeral services will be held this Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM with Father James Braaten as the celebrant. The 12 grand children will serve as honorary pallbearers with burial by her husband?s side in St. Joseph?s Cemetery. Stevenson Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.


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Burial Date: June 8, 2011
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Wednesday; St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND