Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 11256
Title: Leo Axtman
Date: 1922 - 2009
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 3/10/1922
Summary: Leo Axtman, 87, a longtime Williston, ND resident, passed away April 18, 2009, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston. His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 24, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church by Father Dennis Schafer. Interment followed in Riverview Cemetery. Leo was born March 10, 1922 in Balta, ND to Rochus “Roy” and Anna Mary (Scherr) Axtman, the second of ten children. He was raised and educated in Balta. In the 1940s Leo worked for the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps. It was hard work for little money, but it was all that was available for young men at that time. On October 16, 1946, Leo married Regina Reiger in Orrin, ND. They farmed in the area for many years before moving to Williston in 1954. For twenty-five years, Leo worked at Mercy Hospital in Williston. He also did janitorial work in the evenings for various businesses in town to support his family. In 1979, Leo and Regina moved to Poway, CA, where they lived until 1994, when they returned to Williston. While in California, Leo worked at the prestigious Scripps Clinic and Research Center. A bout with lung cancer in 1992 forced Leo into retirement after fifteen years of service to Scripps. Leo had many interests and hobbies. He always planted a big garden so he could share his bounty with family and friends. He was an excellent woodworker making cedar hope chests for each of his daughters, and doll houses for his granddaughters. He was an avid reader, collecting and reading books of all kinds. He loved model horses and toy tractors, and had a large display that he was proud to show everyone. His other love was polka music and he spent many an hour listening to his records while singing along in German. Leo and Regina spent many Saturday evenings dancing at the Moose Lodge with their friends. He also enjoyed building bird houses and bird feeders, hanging them outside his window so he could watch his feathered friends. He also made squirrel feeders to feed and watch the squirrels play in; he got a big kick out of watching their antics. His dogs, King and Goldie, were very special to him, and he enjoyed them very much. A real jokester, Leo enjoyed telling stories that you thought were serious until he got to the punch line. He loved pulling peoples’ legs. Leo was a very special man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we are happy that he is finally reunited with his beloved wife, Regina. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. Leo is survived by his sons, Robert (Arla) Axtman of Santee, CA and LeRoy “Mike” Axtman of San Diego, CA; his daughters, Linda Kellel of Williston, Kathy Barndt of Minneapolis, MN, Lee Ann (Lenny) Johnson and Shirley Axtman, all of Williston; nine grandchildren, Lynn Stevens, Steve (Nikki) Kellel, Colt (Kylie) Treffry, Mike Vance, Kris Barndt, Michelle (Shawn) Rieschl, Lenny (Nancy) Johnson, Jr., Cheree Johnson (and Dave Peterson) and Jordan Johnson; and ten great-grandchildren, Blaine Stevens, Ashley Stevens, Jonathon Kellel, Katie Anderson, Tyson Oster, Chance Treffry, Tyler Brandenburger, Adriana Brandenburger, Shawn Brandenburger, Mikah Johnson and Skyler Peterson. Also surviving are Leo’s brothers, Tim of Milwaukee, WI, Ronald of Fargo, ND, Edward of Rugby, ND and David of Fairview, MT; and his sister, Frances Schmaltz of Rugby. Besides his wife, Leo was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Adam and Daniel Axtman; sisters, Caroline Ebach and Ada Black.
Red ID: FND_I_62020 Image ID: 522401 Image Notes: FND001 11256

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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