Leonard W. Maier

Leonard Wayne Maier, age 79, passed away on March 18, 2026, at Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, ND with his wife at his side. 

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 10:30 am on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Peace Church in New Salem. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at Peace Cemetery. 

Leonard was born October 31, 1946, to Walter and Elma (Holle) Maier at New Salem, the second of two children. He attended grade school in a one-room country school for 8 years, and New Salem High School, where he graduated in 1964.

Leonard was raised on the family farm northwest of New Salem that belonged to his great grandparents, who had homesteaded there. He farmed and ran a dairy all his life. His father passed away in 1964, when Leonard was a senior in high school. Leonard and his mother took over and operated the dairy farm. On April 8, 1967, he married Bonnie Kunkel at New Salem. They resided on Leonard’s family dairy farm for 41 years, with 5 years in between where Leonard worked on various ranches at Hettinger, ND, Wing, ND, and at the John Weber Ranch near Hannover, ND. In 2014, they sold their farmstead and moved into New Salem.

Leonard and Bonnie had two children, Stacy and Michelle. As their family grew they were blessed with a grandson and great-grandsons whom Leonard loved very much and looked forward to spending time with.

Leonard enjoyed horses and usually had one or two on the farm. He enjoyed going to rodeos where he participated in team roping and later team penning events. He enjoyed the Saddle Club play days and entered most all events. Leonard was president of the ND Team Penning Association and New Salem Saddle Club. He enjoyed going to high school rodeos that Stacy and Michelle participated in and always encouraged them. Leonard loved a good day of working cattle whenever anyone called for help. 

Leonard also loved hunting, whether for pheasants or deer. He was always happy when his son and grandson would come for pheasant hunting season and the whole group would get together for fun times. 

Leonard was on the Board of Directors for the Farmers Union Lumber Yard, the New Salem Fire District, and the New Salem Historical Society. He also served as president of the New Salem Historical Society. 

After he retired, Leonard spent his time at the New Salem Historical Society, playing pinochle with his buddies and hunting and fishing with his son and grandson. 

Leonard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bonnie Maier, New Salem; son, Stacy Maier (Kelsi Cruse); grandson, Roman (Raeanne) Maier and great-grandsons, Rocky and Riley Maier, all of Medical Lake, WA; and former daughter-in-law, Jody Maier, Spokane Valley, WA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Judy Kroh and her husband, Curt; brother-in-law, Dave Kunkel; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Those preceding him in death were his grandparents, George (1960) and Louisa (1981) Holle and William (1977) and Anna (1977) Maier; his parents, Walter Maier (1964) and Elma Maier Heinle (1996); stepfather, Walter Heinle (1981); brother, Glenn Maier (1955); daughter Michelle (1985); and nephew, Damian Kunkel (2004).

The family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff at Elm Crest Manor for the wonderful care he received. It was greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the New Salem Ambulance or another charity of your choice.