It is with great sadness that the family of Steve Leier announces his peaceful passing on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Surrounded by family, Steve slipped away to join his wife Jean (Menard) in the early evening. Stephen was born in a farm house six miles north of Sedley, Saskatchewan on February 25, 1921. Steve was predeceased by his parents Lorenz and Julianna Leier (Helfrick); his brothers, John (Katherine) Leier, Edward Leier his sister Mary (Jerry) Warnke as well as his step brother Walter (Gerty) Grad and step sister Theresa Grad. Steve attended school to grade 10 which was as far as you could go unless you wished to go to Regina to finish 11 and 12. When the war broke out, he went to Edmonton to build the airport so the American bombers would have a refueling point on their way to Alaska in case of Russian attack. He then went to Hamilton to work in an artillery casing factory for the big guns on naval vessels. Returning to Saskatchewan, he worked at the Weyburn Mental Hospital and farmed with his father-in-law Ludger (Pete) Menard. Steve and Jean were married in the fall of 1952 and lived in Weyburn until 1956 when they moved to the family farm near Francis/Sedley. This farm has been Steve’s home for the last 62 years. Steve and Jean raised five sons, Bryan (Rose) and their children Deidre (Nick Schaeffer), Garret (Sarah) and Jeadel (Bryant Gaetz); Cliff (Melanie) and their children Josh (Keri), Chantal (Trevor), Jeremy (Holly), Nathan (Bailey Sognesand), Zoe and Zachary; Kenney (Doreen) and their children Luke (Marissa), Scott (Jana); Danny (Jaycee); Stephen Jr. (Tammy) and their children Dylan (Kailee Speidelsbach), Dawson, Lauren, Abby. Stephen and Jean were also blessed with 15 great grandchildren, Brooklynn, Brodie and Sophia; Raya, Jovie and Arlo; Jaslyn, Brielle and Theron; Barrett and Lily; Preston and Henrik; Taylor and MacKenzie. Steve is also survived by his brother Frank (Barbara) Leier, sister Rose Eberle (Leier), sisters-in-law Stella Smith (Menard) and Jean Leier (Baker) and his brother-in-law Roy Eberle as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Steve was a forever farmer still looking forward to seeding this year. He had those damn cows (as mom would call them) for over 64 years and was very proud of his fine line of Charolais. The stock yards always paid top dollar for Steve’s cattle. On the farm there were also chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep and mink just to keep things interesting. Steve was a hard worker, up at six and going until late evening six days a week. He made sure everyone else did the same. He always had a list a mile long if you ever had any doubts about what to do next. Steve did have time to be involved in his community being the Secretary for the Wheat Pool for over 20 years. Coaching Atom hockey for 9 years, Knights of Columbus and many other boards and committees. Steve and Jean also had time for family, neighbours and friends with a good card game to round out any evening. In his younger days, Steve played many sports; baseball and curling were two of his favorites. Steve loved to watch or listen to the Riders and any good hockey game that might be on. He was an avid reader combing though the Leader Post, the Western Producer or the Country Guide always saving an article he thought was of particular interest for all to read. Steve also loved politics and usually had the outcomes nailed down before anyone had even thought about them. Steve always appreciated company especially his grand kids and great grand kids and he knew them all by name, teasing them when ever possible. It could be said that Steve has “filled his quota for feeding the world” and there are not many farmers left that started with horses and ended with 550 horsepower four wheel drives. We will miss him but will cherish the many memories we have. We wish him well on his next journey and we know they need good farmers everywhere…
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