Leonard Alysius Hoffmann was born June 7, 1927 to Louis and Luella Cora (La Plant) Hoffmann, Leonard was born on the Hoffmann homestead. He attended country school through 8th grade. Leonard joined the US Navy in 1945, serving his country in Guam during WW II. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1947. Leonard then attended SSCS at Wahpeton, ND in the fall of 1947. On September 17, 1948 he married his lifetime companion Lillian Watson, together they worked side by side farming and ranching with the Watson family for the next 6 years. This ranch was north of Grassy Butte along HWY 85 where they raised sheep, milked cows and raised grain crops. They greeted their first born, Colleen Margaret in December of 1949 and their second daughter, Cheryl Lillian in September of 1951. Leonard and Lillian then had the opportunity to purchase the Hoffmann family farm south east of Watford City in the fall of 1954 and their third child, a son, Leonard Wayne was born in October of 1956. Leonard and Lillian worked together on the farm raising grain crops, forage crops, milked cows, raised beef cattle and a variety of other farm animals which they enjoyed for many years.
Leonard enjoyed farming and ranching but also loved to fish, hunt, ride horses, snowmobile and fly. He owned and operated Hoffmann Motors in the 1970’s. He also built and operated the Long X Mobile Home park that opened in 1980. He enjoyed all of these ventures, however decided farming and ranching was his true love. He and Lillian had the opportunity to travel to many different places around the globe, as well as many states and trips to see his family in the states of California, Kansas, Utah and Washington.
In 2012 they purchased a home in Gilbert, AZ so they could enjoy warmer winters. They enjoyed the winter months there, returning to the farm for the summer months. In the fall of 2018 due to health issues he and Lillian resided at St Gabriel’s in Bismarck. He was surrounded by family when he passed on March 27, 2020. Leonard loved life and his family, spending time with them as much as possible. He loved having them around and supported them, whether it be baseball, rodeo, horse shows or visiting Disney World with the grandkids.
Leonard was a 73 year member of the American Legion Carl E Rogen Post #29 in Watford City, also serving on their Drill Team, a charter member of the Eagles Club since 1973, 50 Years in the Saddle, and he also served on the Farmers Union Oil Company Board of Directors for nine years and one term as President.
He is survived by his wife Lillian of 71 years, his daughter Colleen (Ronnie) Morlock of Bismarck, ND, daughter Cheryl (Scott) of Killdeer, ND and son Leonard (Margaret) of Bismarck, ND. Grandchildren: Leah Madison (Robb Ziegler) of Blaine MN, Laurie (Jason) Koenig of Chanhassen, Mn, DeAnn (Matt) Zander of Killdeer, ND, Kara (Taylor) Bang of Killdeer, ND. Brett Hoffmann and Samantha (fiance’) St Louis Park, MN, Ashley (Calvin) Crawford of Bismarck, ND. Great-Grandchildren Hayden (Clarissa) Zander, Hoyt Zander, Colin Koenig, Karly Bang and Kelly Bang. Brother Donald of Dickinson, ND, sister-in-law Linda Watson of Mesa, AZ, Velma Hoffmann of Spanish Fork, UT, Anna Hoffmann of El Dorado, KS and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Luella Hoffmann brothers and sister in-laws: Victor (Phyllis) Hoffmann, LeRoy Hoffmann, Raymond Hoffmann & Ray Hoffmann and sisters: Luella (Sam) Fox, Viola (Lon) Grange, Beulah (Donald) Morgan and Eveline (Adolf) Quinnell. His father and mother-in-law Woodie and Margaret Watson, brother-in-law, Woodie Lee Watson, sister-in-law Lola (Kummer) Sondrol and brother-in-law Raymond Kummer.