Leo Parisian Jr., age 61, of Waubun, MN, died Thursday, September 10, 2009 at his residence.
Leo Patrick Parisian Jr., the son of Leo Sr. and Isabelle (Weaver) Parisian, was born on January 2, 1948 at home on Hwy 113, near Waubun, MN. He grew up there are attended Waubun High School. As a young man, Leo enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1967 until 1970. While in the service, he served on the front lines in Vietnam as a sharp shooter. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to the Waubun area. On September 19, 1970, Leo was united in marriage to Susan Olsen. The couple made their home in West Fargo, ND, and had two children, Leo III and Misty. While in West Fargo, Leo worked as a brick tender in the construction business. In 1975, Leo moved back to the White Earth Reservation where he began painting as a profession. In 1982, Leo married Janice Libby and was blessed with another daughter, Sara. Over the years, he worked as an outreach counselor and performed various jobs out in the woods, such as building cabins and logging. In 2002, Leo and Susan Olsen were remarried and made their home on Hwy 113. He always considered himself a "lifetime 113'er."
Leo is survived by his wife, Susan; two daughters: Misty (Mike) Peters of West Fargo, and Sara Parisian of Waubun; one son, Leo Parisian III of Waubun; eight grandchildren: Malea, Makenna, Marissa, Mariah, Eliza, Austin, Richard, and Camron; and five sisters: Maxine (Jim) Williams of Detroit Lakes, MN, Theresa (Pete) Newgren of Hawley, MN, Cleo Parisian of Waubun, Leoba Kolnes of Detroit Lakes, and Tammy (Tim) Brown of Waubun; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Harold; and a great nephew, Jamison Brown.
Funeral services were held at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Assembly of God Church in White Earth, MN, with Pastor Tim Brown officiating. Special music was performed by Pat Moran, Doyle Turner, and Tim and Tammy Brown. Serving as pallbearers were Leo Parisian III, Sara Parisian, Joe Olson Jr., Justin Hawpetoss, Bobbi Jo Parisian, Jim Bevins, Richard McDonald, Richard Hanks, Donnie Lopez, and Dean Newgren. Honorary bearers will be Joe Olson Sr., Amanda Brown, Camron Hanks, Austin Parisian, Raymond Lopez, Misty Peters, Travis Parisian, George Libby, Tim Brown Sr., Andy Beaulieu, Eliza Parisian, Alicia Weaver, Jim Libby, and Tyler Parisian. Visitation was held on Tuesday from 12-2 pm at the church.
Interment was at Chief Corner Stone Cemetery in White Earth, MN.