Leonard Rivard

Minot

Leonard Rivard, 90, Minot, ND, died Wednesday at a Minot nursing home.

Leonard J. Rivard was born September 7, 1934, the son of Louis and Eva (Vandal) Rivard. He was baptized September 23, 1934, in St. Louis Catholic Church, Dunseith, ND. He made his first communion at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Willow City, ND, and was confirmed in May 1950 in the same church. Leonard served as an altar boy there too. Between 1956 and 1958, Leonard drove trucks for various employers. In 1959 – 1960, he worked for McDonald building houses at the Minot Air Base. He also helped his dad with haying on the farm. Leonard went back to the School of Science at Wahpeton taking up Industrial Drafting. He graduated in May 1963. On June 8, 1963, Leonard married Dorothy Ann Hahn at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Bottineau, ND. They moved to Aberdeen, SD, where he worked for Hub City Iron drawing blueprints and machine parts for 9 years. They were members of the Sacred Heart Church while they lived there. In 1968, he built his first home while living in a mobile home on the back of the lot. In 1972, Leonard and his family moved to Towner, ND, and went to work for Hutton Towner Lumber building houses. They were members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Towner. Leonard and his family then moved to Minot, ND, where they built their home and became members of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. He worked for Ask Realty and Minot Realty building houses for 5 years. He also built pole barns on weekends. His loving family includes: wife 61 years, Dorothy; children, Mary Rivard, Wayne Rivard (friend, Tami), Jeanne (Jim) Buff, Paula (Bruce) Giesen, Alan (Tracy) Rivard; 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rita (Dale) Syvertson; along with many aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins. Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Minot. Interment: Rosehill Memorial Cemetery, Minot, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to service. Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).