Richard Earl Leker

March 26, 1932 - November 16, 2020

Richard Earl Leker, 88, Fargo, ND, died November 16, 2020, at his home in Pioneer House. Richard (Dick) Leker was born March 26, 1932, near Irwin, Missouri, to Carol and George Leker. On November 23, 1960, he married Mary Weishaar. Mary passed away on January 11, 2017. They lived in Atchison, KS; Durango, CO; Omaha, NE; Lincoln, NE, Grand Forks, ND; Pelican Rapids, MN, and Tucson, AZ. Dick spent thirty-five years in the Municipal Park and Recreation Field. The last nineteen of those years were spent in Grand Forks, ND, where he was the Director of the Grand Forks Park District. He retired in August of 1997 and moved to Lake Ida in Minnesota. During his professional career, he was involved in the parks and recreation profession at the local, state, regional, and national levels. He served as the Regional Chairman of the Mid-West Region, President of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association, and President of the of the North Dakota Recreation and Park Association for two terms. Dick was a member of the Cormorant Lions Club. When in Grand Forks, he served as President of the South Forks Lions Club. He is survived by his children, Marilyn (Guy) Brinkman, Lincoln, NE; John (Jean) Leker, Selah, WA; Lisa (Mick) Erickson, Edgeley, ND; Dave Leker, Fargo, ND; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four sisters, Barbara (Lloyd) Perry, San Diego, CA; Judy Irwin, Green Valley, AZ, Jean White, Springfield, MO, and Lois (John) Palen, Champlain, IL. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Leker, and his brother Elwin Leker. A memorial service will be held next summer.