Paul W. Leis
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Paul W. Leis

  • October 27, 1920 - September 22, 2012
  • Elbow Lake, Minnesota
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Memories & Candles

“My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. ”
1 of 15 | Posted by: Cathy Aamot Ward - Moorhead, MN

“So very sorry to hear about Paul. Because our Dad (Gordon Leraas) worked at Leis Motors for a number of years, we remember the family well and...Read More » ”
2 of 15 | Posted by: Lynda Morrison - Las Vegas, NV

“So sorry to hear Paul has gone to live with the angels and the Lord. His smile will shine very bright. Maybe the brightest Star in the Heavens. All...Read More » ”
3 of 15 | Posted by: Sandra Biesterfeld - Herman, MN

“Our deepest sympathy. Always remember the good times you shared.We are sure there were many. ”
4 of 15 | Posted by: Kevin and Shirley Dahle - MN

“To the family of Paul Leis, you have my condolences. I bought my first car from Leis motors. I, also bought a motor scooter from his dad. I have many...Read More » ”
5 of 15 | Posted by: Dale Bartz - Ayala North Point

“So very sorry to learn of your loss. God's blessings to your entire family as you mourn Paul's death and celebrate his life. ”
6 of 15 | Posted by: Susan Greeley - Oak Park, IL

“My condolences to Bonnie and family. What an incredibly nice man I remember from childhood. Bob Rosin ”
7 of 15 | Posted by: Robert Rosin, M.D. - Island Park, ID

“Thinking and Praying for you all at this difficult time. (Daughter of John and Karen Lund) ”
8 of 15 | Posted by: Toni (Lund) Fuoss - Holmes City, MN

“my heart goes out to you Bonnie - always hard to loose a partner. I still miss my sister soooooo much. May God Bless you and your family. ”
9 of 15 | Posted by: Judy Engelmann - Grand Forks, ND

“Sorry to hear about the loss of Paul. He had many life and business lessons for me when I came to town. He ran a great business and he was laways fun...Read More » ”
10 of 15 | Posted by: Dan Denardo - Elbow Lake, MN

“Leis Family, My sincere condolences. I have good memories, of all three brothers who WERE Leis Motors, each outstanding in their particular role. I...Read More » ”
11 of 15 | Posted by: Patricia Doms - Fergus Falls, MN

“You are all in our thoughts and prayers. ”
12 of 15 | Posted by: Peggy, Erik & Dane Moss - Fargo, ND

“I have only good memories of Paul from the countless family gatherings we had over the years. He always had that warm infectious smile and that is...Read More » ”
13 of 15 | Posted by: Mark Meberg - Moundsville, WV

“Bonnie, Orvin, Darwin, Kathy and families So sorry to hear about Paul's passing. I know you will miss him so much. It's so sad when our parents...Read More » ”
14 of 15 | Posted by: Elliot & Teresa Larson - Warroad, MN

“Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With All Of You. ”
15 of 15 | Posted by: Denise & Don Hastings - Fargo, ND


Paul William Leis, 91, Elbow Lake, died Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the Barrett Care Center. The funeral service for Paul Leis will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at Christ Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake with the Rev. Don Wagner officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Elbow Lake. Friends may call at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, from 5-8 pm; visitation will resume at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Paul was born on October 27, 1920, in Delaware Township, Grant County, Minnesota, to Jacob and Nellie (Buhr) Leis. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. When the family moved to Elbow Lake, he attended school through the 8th grade, after which he worked for his father and others in the area. In November 1942, Paul joined the U.S. Marine Corp and served in the Pacific theatre where he fought in the battle of Iwo Jima and participated in the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged in January 1946. He returned to Minnesota and obtained his GED at Marshall High School in Minneapolis. Returning to Elbow Lake, Paul joined his father and brothers at Leis Motors to retail Chrysler products. On June 17, 1950, Paul married Alice "Bonnie" Meberg of Park River, North Dakota. They continued to make their home in Elbow Lake for the next 62 years. Paul enjoyed working with his customers and helping them with their automotive needs. To him, it was all about the customer, which was possible because of the dedicated employees at Leis Motors. He enjoyed going for evening swims at Eagle Lake with Bonnie and the grandchildren and the stops at the Snack Shack in Ashby. Paul and Bonnie were avid dancers. Paul is survived by his wife Bonnie; children Darwin of Fargo, North Dakota, Orvin (Donna) of Elbow Lake, and Kathrine of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Jacob Leis of Cambridge, Minnesota, Alexandra Leis, currently traveling in SE Asia, Elizabeth Leis and Jonathan Leis, both of Minneapolis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Nellie Leis, and his brothers and their wives, Ralph and Edna Leis and Lawrence and Avis Leis.