Leland Jelinek

Leland “Lenny” Jelinek, age 76 of Grand Forks, ND, checked out and won’t be saying “WHAT” anymore as of Monday, August 5, 2024.  He was born May 27, 1948 in Grafton, ND, the son of Alexander and Aileen (Simpkin) Jelinek of Pisek, ND. He attended Pisek Elementary and High School and graduated in 1966.  He then attended UND in Grand Forks and later graduated from Mayville State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science & Math.

Throughout his youth and college years he enjoyed being employed, working for an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, a trait instilled by his parents and his grandpa John.  In his youth, he worked in his parent’s store, Pisek General Store (JMart), as well as a little taste of farming.  During his college years, he was employed in building (Jasmer, Ellerton, and Brodeur) Construction Companies, then a brief stint in road (Nodak and Tellefson) Construction, a Security Guard (Halifax) at the PAR Missile Complex, and a flooring installer for the JMart and Karas Construction Company.  In 1973 he moved to Hebron, ND where he was employed by the Hebron School District for 2 years, teaching JR High Math and Social Studies.  It was here in Hebron that his son Troy Dion, was born in 1975.  Between the school years, he was employed with Portney Construction as well as the Hebron Brick Company, chipping brick for a whopping 4 cents a brick.  He enjoyed bragging about the 4 cents as well as the bruised and bloody fingers and knuckles when he missed the brick.  In 1976 he moved back to the Valley where he became Principal and Math and Social Studies teacher in the Pisek School District for 11 years.  During the summer months he worked as a flooring installer with his brothers.  In 1988, he moved to Grand Forks, ND where he was employed by Allstate Insurance Co. as a Resident Agent and later as an Exclusive Agent.  Leland retired in 2012, but continued in the office part-time until early 2013.  But retirement didn’t satisfy him, so he worked part-time as a morning stocker at Menards as well as a Para-Professional with the Grand Forks School System.  He always strived to be the very best in his Education and Insurance careers.  He strived for well-prepared students and for the protection of his clients.  Bringing out a smile or laugh was the ultimate.  He enjoyed fishing, Fighting Sioux Sports, NASCAR, and building things out of wood. A game of Pinochle, a few pulls of the one-armed bandits, donuts, coffee, Pepsi, and chocolate chip cookies were also some favorites.  The most joy he had was spending time with Troy and family and their numerous furry friends at his “T Ranch.”

Leland is survived by his pride and joy, son Troy; grandchildren: Levi and Montana Murphy; siblings: Patricia Karas, Larimore, ND, Loy, Pisek, ND, Mary, Elk City, ID, Teresa (Bill) Brandt, Francis (Bonnie), Dominic, All of Pisek, ND, Carmel (Brian) Litton, Fargo, ND, Stephen (Irene), Dingmans Ferry, PA, Bernadette, Park River, ND, and Germaine (Steve) Heller, Cavalier, ND; and brother-in-law Larry Schiernbeck, Park River, ND.  Also surviving are 26 nieces and nephews and their spouses, along with at least 45 (and counting) great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his beloved parents; sister Judith and her husband Leonard Dunn; sister Cynthia Schiernbeck; brother-in-law David Karas; nephew and godchild Jeremiah Jelinek; nephews: Travis Dunn, Jason McKay and Justin McKay; his paternal grandparents John and Katherine Jelinek and maternal grandparents Carl and Meda Simpkin.

If anything, Leland wishes to be remembered by his favorite one-liner…..”WHAT?”

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM at the St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church of Pisek, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery of Pisek, ND.