Leighton Bernard Mazour, age 84, of Mahnomen, MN, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at his home in Mahnomen.

Leighton was born in Spring Ranch Township in Nebraska on August 18, 1930, the son of Enos and Gladys (Frey) Mazour. He grew up in Nebraska and graduated in 1948 from Fairfield High School with a class of eight boys. After graduation, Leighton began working at the Ammunition Depot until he entered the United States Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge in 1954, he returned to Nebraska and rented his uncle's land near Fairfield and began farming. On a trip to Minnesota to visit an Army buddy and colleague, Joey Klinkhammer, he met the love of his life.

Leighton was united in marriage to Cecilia Klinkhammer on September 6, 1958, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, near Beaulieu, MN. The couple lived in Mahnomen a short time before moving to Nebraska to continue farming. In the fall of 1962, Leighton and Cele purchased the Peter Neisen farm east of Mahnomen. Leighton farmed the land that fall and in February of 1963, he moved his family to Mahnomen. They farmed until the mid 1990's when Leighton retired and they rented out the farm land. During retirement, he kept busy helping others and hauling fertilizer for Cenex. In 2009, Cele and Leighton moved off the farm to a home in Green Acres in Mahnomen.
Leighton was known to be polite, kind hearted and very appreciative of his many friends. He was a hard worker and his mechanical mind led to hours of overhauling engines of any kind. Leighton also passed the time with watching the birds and television, especially MASH and the Lawrence Welk Show. He always enjoyed a good visit with friends and family. Leighton was fond of all animals, however, his cat, Garfield, topped the list and was his faithful companion. He was a member of both the Mahnomen American Legion and the Bejou VFW in addition to St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Leighton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cecilia, Mahnomen; four daughters: Denise (Bill) Nelson, Mahnomen, Kathy (Steve) Johnston, Hawley, MN, Bethany (Don) Bergren, Braham, MN, and Mary (Jesse) Hensel, Park Rapids, MN; two sons, Craig (Brenda) Moorhead, MN, and James, St. Louis Park, MN; 13 grandchildren: Scott, Jill and Nicole Mazour, Dustin and Kaylie Nelson, Stephanie, Jesse, Skyler and Alex Johnston, Brittany and Jacob Bergren, Mikayla and Tanner Hensel. He is also survived by two sisters, Marianne Wolfe, Fairfield, NE and Geraldine (Phil) Ekels, Nelson, NE; one brother, Dwaynne (Eileen) Mazour, Fairmont, NE; several nieces, nephews and many Klinkhammer relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Dennison; infant sister, Amarylis; two nephews; and two brothers-in-law.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Sunday, March 15th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., with a KC Rosary and Prayer Service beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Burial will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.