Leander Haider

Leander J. "Lee" Haider, age 76 of Elrosa died Monday, March 29, 2004 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 2 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Rev. LeRoy Scheierl will officiate with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10 a.m. on Friday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Catholic Aid Society will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Leander Haider was born on January 19, 1928 in Lake George Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Henry and Rose (Fuchs) Haider. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Meyer on September 4, 1950 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald. The couple farmed south of Elrosa until 1976 when they moved to town. Leander continued helping his son with his farming operation. He also was a part-time milk truck driver. The couple spent their winters in Arizona. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Leander's favorite pastimes were traveling, fishing, and dancing. He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa, Knights of Columbus and the Greenwald Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Haider of Elrosa; children, Gary Haider and his wife, Kathy of Elrosa, Karen Thostenson and her husband, Larry of Melrose, Jean Larson and her husband, Curt of Willmar, Joan Hoven and her husband, Rollie of Camarillo, CA, Brenda Kochmann and her husband, George of Paynesville; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Valeria Bertram of Belgrade, Rita Hustad and her husband, Lyle of St. Cloud, Leona Bertram and her husband, Al of Greenwald, Vincent Haider and his wife, Donna of Elrosa, Rose Meyer and her husband, Phil of Greenwald, Eugene Haider and his wife, Jean of Elrosa and Henry "Butch" Haider, Jr. and his wife, Margie of Melrose.

Leander was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Duane Haider.

Serving as casket bearers will be Brad Haider, Todd Haider, Dustin Thostenson, Tessa Thostenson, Shawn Hoven, Tiffany Hoven, Alysha Hoven, Jaime Larson, Ashley Larson and Tyler Kochmann.

Serving as cross bearer will be Breana Kochmann and scripture bearer will be Shanna Schiffler. Lectors will be Kathy Haider and Angela Friedrichs.