Dr. George Edward Leher

Dr. George Edward Leher, 75, passed away Friday, August 19, surrounded by those that he loved most in this world and that loved him most: his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, Paul Leher, DDS.

Born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Willa Mae and Walter George Leher III, George spent his youth in Missouri and Illinois before leaving home to attend college in Ohio, and medical school in Chicago.
While in med school, he met the woman that would become his one true love for over 50 years, Niuris. George married Niuris Ramos, graduated from med school, and eventually moved to Kansas where he completed his residency to become a pediatrician.

As his residency was coming to a close, George and Niuris welcomed their first child into the world and promptly moved to North Dakota in what was a whirlwind of a year, arriving in time to “enjoy” their first NoDak winter. A few years later they welcomed their second child and after a few more years, they welcomed their third child.

Dr. George Leher joined Fargo’s Dakota Clinic in 1976. He continued with his Pediatric practice for over 30 years, through the transitions from Dakota Clinic to Innovis to Essentia. In that time, George saw many children come through his doors. He also had the privilege of caring for multiple generations in some families. Many of those kids would come to share their fond memories of Sophie the Sea Bass and Barnie the Barracuda, as well as the parachuting bear that hung outside his office, bringing joy to what could otherwise have been a scary place for a little one. Many parents would recount George’s dedication to the health of their child, going so far as to stay with them in the hospital to monitor their condition, provide care, and ensure a good recovery.

George was a man of great depth, wisdom, integrity, honor, and work ethic. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a dry wit, and a great love for many hobbies and interests, including but not limited to trains, woodworking, hunting, fishing, gardening, raising pheasants, chuckers, and llamas (not all at the same time) and driving his S6.

More than all those hobbies and interests, there was one thing for which George had no limits to his passion and dedication: family. The greatest legacy George leaves behind will be his love for family. Family is what mattered most, his love for his wife, his children, and his grandchildren saw no limits and he was devoted, with every fiber of his being, to thinking and caring about and for his family.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations to the United Way of Cass Clay or the Hope Kids Foundation would be a wonderful way to remember and honor George’s life.