Mary Leker, 85, of Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Sanford Health Palliative Care in Fargo.

Mary Frances Weishaar was born March 18, 1931 in rural Nortonville, KS to Albert and Frances (Bertels) Weishaar, the youngest of 10 children. She attended school and graduated from high school in Effingham, KS. After high school, she worked as a secretary for the Midwest Solvents Alcohol Plant in Atchison, KS.

In 1958, Mary met Richard “Dick” Leker, and on November 23, 1960 they were united in marriage in Baldwin, KS.

Mary worked for First National Bank in Atchison, and after several moves, they ended up in Lincoln, NE, where she was an executive secretary for King’s Food Host. They later moved to Grand Forks, ND where she began working in real estate. They lived there for 19 years before retiring to their home on Lake Ida, MN. During the winter months they enjoyed spending time in Tucson, AZ.

Mary enjoyed painting still-lifes, volunteering at Cormorant Lutheran Church, entertaining visitors at the lake, and most of all, spending time with family.

Mary is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dick; children, Marilyn (Guy) Brinkman, Lincoln, NE; John (Jean) Leker, Selah, WA; Lisa (Mick) Erickson, Edgeley, ND; and Dave (Lindsey) Leker, Fargo, ND; one sister, Erma (George) Johnson, Troy, KS; grandchildren, Danny, Kelly, Ryan, Jeremy, Brenna, Jamie, Taylor, Jennifer, Brody, and Jace; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and four sisters.

Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or Cormorant Lutheran Church.