Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271762
Title: Robert T. Lefor
Date: 9/18/1940-8/1/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 9/18/1940
Summary: Robert T. Lefor, 84, of Lefor, ND, passed away August 1, 2025, in the Peace of Christ in his home on his family farm. A funeral Mass was held August 7, 2025, at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Lefor, with Fr. Jason Lefor presiding. Burial was in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery in Lefor. Robert Thomas Lefor was born September 18, 1940, in Lefor, ND, the son of Victor F. Lefor and Caroline (Messmer) Lefor. Until 1946, Bob lived on the original Lefor settlement just east of Lefor. His family then moved to the current farm just north of Lefor, where he grew up with his eight siblings and attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Grade School and High School. Following graduation from high school, Bob served two years in the US Army. Upon returning, he lived in Dickinson, ND, and worked at Cargill Grain Elevator and Letvin Machinery. It was during this time Bob met Rose Petryszak at a wedding dance in New Hradec, ND. They were married on October 12, 1965, at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Fairfield, ND. To this union, three children were born: Lori, Glenn, and Jason. The family lived in Dickinson until 1970 when they moved to the family farm north of Lefor. Bob and Rose loved and labored fruitfully together on their farm for five decades. Bob was known for his love of farming and trying innovative methods of husbandry and agriculture. He had over 40 years of AI breeding of his Holstein dairy cows and was involved in establishing and building the Lefor Cooperative Cheese Factory. Bob also purchased an AO Smith Harvester Silo and began "no till" farming. Giving back to the community, he served as the president of the Lefor School Board across three decades and was a member of the Elks and Knights of Columbus Clubs. The Catholic faith was at the heart of everything Bob did. After 50 years of marriage, Bob's beloved wife, Rose, passed away, and he courageously began to live life on his own. Bob's pride and joy were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved to share with others about their latest adventures and accomplishments. Bob often attended his grandchildren's activities such as sporting events and concerts. Accepting and embracing life's physical challenges, Bob had a brief stay at St. Benedict Court in Dickinson, ND. While residing there, he made many friends and had the privilege to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in April 2025. Robert is survived by his siblings, Jerome (Kathy) Lefor, of Beaverton, OR, Betty Lou Slaney, of Sacramento, CA, Terrance (Ann) Lefor, of Roseau, MN, Leslie (Cindy) Lefor, of Fresno, CA, Donna Mae (Bill Allen) Nelson, of Prior Lake, MN, and Thomas (Cindy Mann) Lefor, of Greeley, CO; his children, Lori Lefor, of Fargo, ND, Glenn (Nancy) Lefor, of Dickinson, ND, and Fr. Jason Lefor, of Pisek, ND; his nine grandchildren, Casey (Kelsey) Hennessy, Colby (Becca) Hennessy, Bobbi (Andrew) Bossert, Calli (Cody) Hamilton, Caitriona Hennessy, Monica (John) Kargol, Maximilian Lefor, Naomi Lefor, Celine Lefor; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Caroline; wife, Rose; and brothers, Victor James and Gregory Lefor.
Red ID: FND_I_79257 Image ID: 537172 Image Notes: FND001 271762

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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