Ernest Lee 'Tex' Smeltzer, 74, of Leeds, ND passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Leeds Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at Leeds Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family of Tex: P.O. Box 58, Leeds, ND 58346.

Everyone is welcome to stream the service through the Nelson Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Tex was born at home in Leeds to Ernest and Emma (Johnson) Smeltzer. He was baptized and confirmed at the Leeds Lutheran Church. Tex attended and graduated from Leeds Public School. He also attended Minot State University.

Tex spent summers as a life guard at the old Leeds pool in the park. He also was a cook and carhop at the 'WigWam' in Leeds. Tex loved music, dancing and rock concerts. He was a bartender at bars in Leeds, Knox and Devils Lake. Tex loved to travel and visit friends and relatives. He always had a suitcase packed and managed to spend winters in California with his sister, Ellen, and would come back thru Oregon, Washington and Butte, Montana to see sister Gloria and Gail. He had uncles, aunts and cousins everywhere.

Tex liked horse shows. He owned a quarter horse and participated in trial rides. In the summer he would plant large gardens. Many people enjoyed his produce and flowers; he made some good pickles and salsa. At Christmas, his lefse was the best present ever!

Tex was a member of the Sons of Norway and the Harlow VFW Auxiliary. He liked Bingo and casinos. He was an avid reader of novels ad would trade books with everyone.

Tex is survived by his brothers, Vance (Alice) Smeltzer and Robert Smeltzer; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Emma Smeltzer; sisters, Ellen Guss, Audrey Olson, Gloria Launes and Gail Fish; brothers, Virgil Smeltzer, Bruce Smeltzer and David Smeltzer.