George Frederick Leininger, 94, Alkabo, ND, and formerly of Minot, died Thursday, May 31, 2012 at his home in Alkabo.

George was born June 2, 1917 at Fortuna, ND, the son of George A. and Clara (Weyh) Leininger. He was raised on the family farm west of Fortuna and graduated from Fortuna High School in 1935. Following his education, he was employed at a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Camp in St. Paul, MN for two years.

George was inducted into the US Army on April 10, 1941 and served with the Red Bull - 34th Infantry Division in the African and Italian Theatre of World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to North Dakota to assist his family with the farmstead. He was united in marriage to Eunice McKinney on August 12, 1945. In 1946, they moved to Minot, where he was employed with the Railroad Express Agency as a garage foreman until 1950. He then owned and operated George's Standard Oil Station from 1950-1957. He later went to work for the Reinhardt Brothers/Minot Auto Supply Store until retiring in 1980. After retiring, George enjoyed taking his grandchildren, Brett & Alyssa to their T-ball games and then to Burger King afterwards to support their sponsor.

Eunice died May 27, 1998. Following her death, he continued to live in Minot, until returning to his childhood roots near Fortuna, ND. He married Elaine (Danielson) Rust on January 15, 2000 at Alkabo. They continued to make their home there the past twelve years, where they enjoyed looking out over the horizon from their breakfast table every morning. They spent time mowing the town with the help of Kayla, Kevin and Jenna the past few years. George's best times were spent on his mower, caring for his "field of dreams" baseball field, with a sign on the backstop that says, George Street.

After retiring, George enjoyed taking his grandchildren, Brett & Alyssa to their T-ball games in MInot and then to Burger King afterwards to support their sponsor. After his marriage to Elaine, George started with the second generation of grandchildren, and thoroughly enjoyed attending all of their ball games and special events.

George was a former member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot and was currently a member of Writing Rock Church in Alkabo. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge, where he served locally as well as in several state, district and national offices and served on their ritual team. In 1996, he attained the highest honor in the Moose Fraternity, the Pilgrim degree. He had served on the Congregational Church Board, the Nedrose Township School Board and was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club.

George is survived by his wife, Elaine Rust Leininger, Alkabo, children, George F. "Skip" (Char) Leininger, Stevensville, MT and Debbie (Larry) Kallias, Minot; step-children, Gary (Bev DeJardine) Rust, Fortuna, Dana (Susan) Rust, Phoenix, AZ and Rob (Kim) Rust, Alkabo; grandchildren, Sean (Julie) Leininger, Melanie (Mike) Norbury, Dawn (Tom) Rich, Brett (Jodi Ziegelman) Kallias, Alyssa (Jason) Proper, Karen Leininger & C.J. Leininger; eight great-grandchildren; step grandchildren, Tina (Chad) Frisinger, Gene (Donna) Rust, Kayla, Kevin & Jenna Rust; two step-great grandchildren; brother, Otmar (Marilyn) Olson, Scottsdale, AZ; daughters-in-law, Pam Rice, Rancho Cordova, CA & Margi Leininger, Stevensville, MT; several nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Eunice.

Funeral service: Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m . in Writing Rock Church, Alkabo, ND.
Graveside service : Monday at 4:00 p.m. in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from Noon-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Congregational Church, Writing Rock Cemetery Fund or the Moose Lodge.