LeRoy Schliesman

LeRoy Schliesman, age 87, of Watertown, SD,  passed away on April 4, 2022, at his daughter’s residence in Wolverton, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 7, at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Milbank at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. 

Military Honors will be provided by the South Dakota National Guard.

LeRoy Leonard Schliesman was born on November 4, 1934, on the family farm north of Milbank, SD.  He was the son of John Edward Schliesman and Sara Louise (Thiele) Schliesman. He joined the Army National Guard in Milbank, SD, and served from 1952 – 1961.  LeRoy graduated from Corona High School in 1953. He worked on the family farm and also farmed with his uncle.

LeRoy was united in marriage with Barbara Ann Ceaser from Graceville, MN, on August 27, 1955. They were blessed with four children: Deb, Mark, Pat, and Amy. Following their marriage, Leroy continued to farm in the Graceville, MN, area. He drove truck for various trucking companies, such as Allied Van Lines and Quadee Rubber Company. He owned and operated a trucking business, Murphy Motor Freight Lines. He and Barb operated two truck stops in the 1970’s and 80’s in Fergus Falls, MN: Big Chief Texaco and B & L Interstate Skelly. LeRoy was a member of the Ottertail County Sheriff’s Posse. They also owned and operated two other businesses: Christine Liquors in Christine, ND; and The Now & Then Supper Club in Doland, SD. Barb passed away on February 18, 1994, and LeRoy moved back to Watertown and worked for Cave’s Supply as a parts runner and handyman and did maintenance work at Super 8 Motel.

LeRoy grew up around horses and helped break several horses on the Grosek Farm in Webster, SD. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but with his trucking jobs, he seldom had extra time to hunt or fish. He loved gardening and growing his own vegetables and flowers. His lawn was always immaculate and he received many compliments on it. He loved working with his hands making flower pots or fixing whatever needed to be done. He was always busy and had very little time to sit still to rest. In his later days, he slowed down some, but hated not being able to get out and move around. He loved life and lived it to his fullest.

LeRoy would always light up when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would come around. He loved to watch them romp and chase each other and listen to their laughter. He would take walks in Deb and Mark’s yard and the dogs would go along with him with the cats pulling up the rear! They all would stop and sit to rest, while LeRoy would stare out into the distance and “listen to the quiet.”

LeRoy Schliesman is survived by his children: Debra (Mark) Krupich of Wolverton, MN; Mark Schliesman of Fergus Falls, MN; Patrick (Cindy) Schliesman of Erhard, MN; and Amy (Dan) Tousley of White Sulphur Springs, MT; 11 grandchildren: Naomi Schliesman, J.J. (Melissa) Krupich, Brendan (Leah) Krupich, Samantha (Cameron) Hofer, Shawna (Cameron Boyet) Schliesman, Joshua Schliesman, Trista (Matthew) Walla,  Jacinda (Jacob) Kusek, Cassie Schliesman, Royale Tousley, and Cavin Tousley; and 14 great-grandchildren: Lillian Krupich, Brody Krupich, Hunter Kusek, Aislyn Walla, Oakley Kusek, Titus Boyet, Axel Boyet, Gavin Krupich, Zara Schliesman, Remington Kusek, Zaidee Hofer, Brecken Walla, Brenleigh Krupich, and Jameson Tousley.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and two brothers.