Leon Shank

Leon Allen Shank died peacefully on May 31, 2026, under CHI Hospice Home Health with his daughter Heather by his side.

Leon was born in Lisbon, North Dakota on July 19, 1939 to Allen Shank and Nellie Clara (Halliday) Shank. He grew up with his parents and older sister, Isabel on the family farm, which his great-grandfather Charles Shank homesteaded.

Leon attended country school in Sydna Township. He graduated from eighth grade there and went on to attend high school in Lisbon, ND. He was vice president of his class and went to Boys State. He graduated in 1957.

While still in high school, at age 17, he joined the National Guard NCO School. He needed to get his dad’s consent because he wasn’t eighteen. One of the first things he did was on patrol in Fargo after the 1957 tornado. He temporarily got out of the National Guard after three years but later rejoined in 1977. He was honorably discharged on September 8, 1979, as sergeant E-5 Combat Engineer in Lisbon, ND.

Leon married Verda Mae Crider on September 10, 1960 in Webster, SD. They had two children, Tim and Heather.

Leon began working at the hardware store in Lisbon and eventually went on to do delivery work for solar, gas and other propane companies that took over. He ended his career as the service manager.

In his spare time, Leon loved to fish and hunt mainly pheasants and deer. He also enjoyed taking trips with his family. His passion was airplanes. He loved air shows and always wanted to learn to fly but never did.

Leon moved to an apartment in Lisbon in 2024. He made a lot of lasting friendships and great memories throughout his life. One of those friends was Bernard Nordhaugen. He was a former co-worker and family friend who spent the last year of Leon’s life driving him places, visiting with him and taking him out to eat.

Leon is survived by his son Tim Shank, Oriska, ND; daughter and son-in-law Heather (Shank), Fargo, ND and Joshua Lende; grandson Alex Shank; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Leon in death was his wife of 63 years Verda Shank, parents Allen and Nellie Shank, sister Isabel (Shank) Barr, father and mother-in-law Max and Mary Crider, brother-in-law William Barr and son-in-law Larry Nelson.

Graveside Service:  Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Lakeside Cemetery, Milnor, ND.

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