Thomas Phillip Leppard was born October 27, 1948 at Maddock, ND, to Phillip and Rosemary (Bingham) Leppard.  He was raised on the family farm in McLellan Township near Brinsmade, ND.  He attended the township rural school, Harlow Public School and the Benson County Agricultural and Training School in Maddock where he was a member of FFA for many years.  Following his education, Tom worked for the Benson County Highway Department and then he farmed until retiring in 2010.  Tom then worked for a time as a Security Guard at the Spirit Lake Casino.  Tom married Mary Lou Schiele on January 28 ^th , 1967 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Leeds.

Tom was baptized and later an altar boy at St. William's Catholic Church in Maddock, confirmed at St. James Catholic Church in Minnewaukan and a current member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Leeds.  He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, deer and goose hunting with his friends & family, watching NASCAR and he always looked forward to playing a fun game of pinochle.

Tom greatest joy in life was giving and helping others, he was a best friend to many.  Over the years, he developed many life-long friendships and he always held those people near and dear to his heart.  His grandchildren looked forward to Easter every year because they knew Grandpa had a basket full of Easter eggs filled with candy that he would hide for them to find. Tom was a good cook and was known for making his famous peanut butter cookies.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife:  Mary Lou;  daughters:  Tami (Tony) Kitzman of Leeds,  Traci (Gary) Jacques of Devils Lake,  Linda (Daren) Lysne of Rugby and a son:  Carlito Leppard at home;  9 grandchildren:  Kristen Nelsen,  Bradley Nelsen,  Nikara Nelsen,  Kayla Jacques,  Kenzie Jacques,  Karsen Jacques,  Leann (Nick) Jundt,  Jayde Lysne and Kayde Lysne;  8 great-grandchildren:  Kyler Nelsen,  Haylee Jundt,  Journey Jundt,  Bayslee Jundt,  Jaden Lysne,  Kennadi Lysne,  Levi Lysne and Zoey Lysne;  a brother:  Richard (Jane) Leppard of Devils Lake and a sister:  Patricia (Dave) Dettling of Devils Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William.

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