Harold Dennis "Butch" Leas, 81, of Cando, ND, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, in Cando. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The interment will be held at the Rocklake Community Cemetery in the spring.

Butch was born on October 15, 1942, in Rolla, ND to Harold and Doris (Baumgart) Leas. He was raised in the Rocklake area where he graduated high school in 1960. During his high school years, he excelled at playing the trombone and played football. He went onto North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton for two years and graduated with a degree in diesel mechanics there in 1962. On September 29th, 1962, he married the love of his life, Diane Eckholm. They raised their three sons, Derrick, Craig, and Chad and their beloved dog, Sheba "The Alligator Hunter" (That's why there are no alligators left in Rock Lake), on a farm northwest of Rocklake where they stayed until 1999. After that they moved to Cando so he could work full time as a crop insurance adjuster.

He loved his family; especially spending time with grandkids and attending their hundreds of activities throughout the years. In his later years, he enjoyed the conveniences of modern technology and watching the games from his recliner. In the past year, he became a great grandpa to Irelynn and Trygg. He enjoyed visits from them and getting frequent picture messages. He would often reply that it makes their (his and Grandma's) day. He loved to travel with his wife, often visiting family in Wing, going to Medora, Fargo, Minot, and a frequent visitor to restaurants in Devils Lake.

Throughout his years, he was part of many organizations in his community, including the Rocklake Cafe Board, Rural Fire Department, President of the Church Board, Farmer's Union Board of Directors, and Virginia Township.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Doris (Baumgart) Leas; brothers-in-law Joe Connelly and Clayton Krueger.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane (Eckholm) of Cando; brother David (Margaret) Leas of Phoenix, AZ; children Derrick (Carol) Leas and Craig (Sheri) Leas of Rocklake and Chad (Amy) Leas of Rolla; grandkids Heather (Jason Dannelly) Leas, Alyson Leas, Miranda (Reid) Pearson, Logan Leas, Mitchell Leas, and Morgan Leas; and two great-grandchildren, Irelynn Dannelly and Trygg Pearson; sisters-in-law Elaine Connelly and Karen Krueger.