Joe Ben Leimser

Joe Ben Leimser

Joe Ben Leimser was born in Hastings, Neb. to Joseph and Hattie (Paschal) Leimser on Nov. 26, 1920. He passed away on June 17, 2009, at the Niobrara Health and Life Center in Lusk, Wyo. Funeral services were Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Lusk, with Pastor Tom Strock officiating. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery.

The family lived in eastern Nebraska until they moved to northern Niobrara County in 1926. They homesteaded in the Buck Creek Hills in 1928. A log cabin was built for their home, and this continued to be lived in until Joe and Alice built their new home out of native lumber in 1968. The cabin was still used until they left the ranch in 1985. Joe attended the Gormley and Rough Rock Schools, and then Lusk High School, where he met Alice Voorhees.

Joe and Alice were married in Hot Springs, S.D., Dec. 28, 1938. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together in December 2008. Two girls completed the family, Eleanor (Aamodt) and Naomi (Rothleitner).

Joe was a lifelong guitar picker - self-taught, and he played for dances at the various country dance halls. His life-time friend and fellow fiddle player, Pete Germann, shared many hours with him making music. They recorded the square dance music for the Legend of Rawhide, and it is played every year. He continued to play with various musicians until shortly before his death. He was so proud to be honored at the night performance of the Legend in 2006, and to ride shotgun with PeeWee Johnson for both performances in 2008.

Joe loved the outdoors and country life. He loved his animals, he respected all wildlife, and he enjoyed hunting all game animals. He guided hunts for outfitter Mike Miller in the Sunlight Basin three seasons. He loved to fish, and there were many fishing trips made with Alice and family members and friends.

He learned how to mechanic at a young age, by trial and error, and that was his main career along with ranching. He also became an excellent machinist. In later years, after he lost a lot of his eyesight, he took up woodworking, and all family members and a good many friends have his beautiful work in their homes.

Joe and Alice welcomed into their home and hearts three different teenage boys: Dave, Howard, and Doug. Their door was always open and the coffee pot on to welcome friends, neighbors, and family.

Joe is loved and survived by his wife of 70 plus years, Alice; 2 daughters: Eleanor (Stan) Aamodt of Lusk, and Naomi (Tom) Rothleitner of Upton; three grandchildren: Connie (Glen) Sharp, Howard Lorenzen, and Jacquie Frye; six great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Rosemary (Herb) Tadewald; two nephews; three nieces; and many great-nieces and nephews, friends, and lots of special memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dale and Dean, and sister Hazel.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 876; Nio. Sr. Center, PO Box 390; or the Niobrara/Lusk Ambulance, PO Box 390, Lusk, WY 82225.

Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records