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Leonard Giles Majerus was born on the family dairy farm south of Havre, Mont., on April 17, 1925, to Edward and Edith Majerus. He dreamed of living on the family ranch south of Roundup until he died, as he considered the ranch "his little piece of Heaven." But that was not to be the course of life. Due to illness, Mom and Dad moved to Billings in 2010, and started a journey through assisted living with Dad entering hospice in 2012. He passed away at Horizon Hospice in Billings on June 22, 2013, with his loving and devoted wife at his side.
He graduated from the Class of 1943, and on June 27, 1945, he married Elizabeth Solomon in Havre. Leonard had a place outside of Havre when they were married, and Betty was in nurses training. It was there that they started their family with their firstborn, Patty. They moved south of Roundup in 1948. Here they found a great group of friends and neighbors near their new home. As the family grew, the "Carmichael place" transformed into the current Majerus Ranch.
It didn't take long for the new family to become involved with the neighbors and their lifelong friendships as they joined the community dances and the Roundup Ridge Riders. Dad was soon on the school board at Klein and later the Roundup High School board. Whenever there was a school activity, there was the Majerus family. They were members of St. Benedict's Catholic Church, and they were active in helping build the current church. When Father Sorger had dreams of a community center, Dad was there to help him. Leonard was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and was a past grand knight.
In 1964, Mom and Dad bought Fred Giesler's shares of A and A Implement. This got Dad involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the Roundup Fourth of July Rodeo and later the Fair Board.
All through the years he was a member of the Stockgrowers. In these areas he also served as the president of these boards and committees.
The rodeo was the one activity that had "Team Majerus" at work. Mom would be the secretary and the kids would be found working in the background (when they were old enough). This continued even through the years of the fair board. Even then he would have the kids helping him out.
When his kids were interested in rodeo, he would help them, their friends and neighborhood kids practice at the arena at home. He was proud to watch them from the early days in Little Britches through the high school and collegiate years and even to the Pro Rodeo stage.
Mom did get Dad to leave home on trips and they traveled with family and friends. Their adventures took them to: Mexico, Australia, Tahiti, California, Arizona, Florida and even a pilgrimage to Europe. The family celebrated with them on a trip to Florida and also a cruise trip to Hawaii to honor their wedding anniversaries. Since community was important to Mom and Dad, the kids also hosted parties to celebrate their landmark anniversaries (40th, 50th and 60th).
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws; his daughters, Patricia Ann, Judith Marie, Jean Louise; an infant grandson; his brothers, George, Norbert and Frank; his sisters; Magdalene Sund, and Florence Brophy; his nephew, Tom Majerus; brother-in-law, Bob Brophy; and sisters-in-law, Charlotte, Mary, Ina Ann and Virginia Majerus.
Leonard is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Betty; his kids Gilbert (Julie) Majerus of Roundup; Linda (Mike) Moran of Flint, Mich., Dan (Chary) Majerus of Conrad, Mont .; Kathy Majerus of Billings and Jim (Cheryl) Majerus of Billings; grandchildren: Shelly (Darik) Jay of Anthem, Ariz .; Scott Moran of Billings, Shane Moran of Ulm, Mont .; Robert (Kristy) Majerus of Forsyth; Shannon Majerus, Amy (Darrick) Angel, Tara (Brad) Kinsey, all of Roundup; Tiffany (Daniel) Alvaert of Irvine, Calif., Jodi (Kris) Delaney of Helena; Casey (Theresa) Majerus, Missoula; Luke and Carly Majerus of Billings; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Selina Angel, Chase, Caitlin and Cassandra Moran, Jaden and Kairos Jay, Madeline and Scarlett Delaney, Teigan Kinsey and Zoie Majerus; brothers Edward (Dorothy) Majerus of Lewistown and Giles of Havre; brother-in-law Edmond (Judy) Solomon and sister-in-law Peggy Majerus of Great Falls and lots of nieces and nephews. There are numerous adopted members of the family.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Horizon Hospice staff for their excellent and compassionate care of Leonard for the past 10 months, especially Shannon, Amy H, Claudia, Honey, Amanda and Nichole.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, RiverStone Horizon Hospice House, 1019 Neptune Blvd, Billings, MT 59105 or the Roundup Educational Foundation to help build a new school.
Vigil services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 226 Wicks Lane, Billings. Funeral Mass will 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at St. Benedict's in Roundup.
Interment will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013, in Highland Cemetery in Havre.
Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel, and memories may be shared with the family at http://www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.
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