Leonard L. Pribil

Leonard L. Pribil, age 90, of O'Neill, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2013, at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Sunday, March 3, 2013, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Knights of Columbus and parish rosary, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

A funeral mass was held on Monday, March 4, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Father Francis Nigli officiating. Music was provided by pianist, Tom Peters and St. Patrick's funeral choir.

Pallbearers were Leonard's nine grandchildren: Amy Conway, Melissa Drevecky, Mark Storjohann, Jeff Storjohann, Kari Madsen, Vicki Pribil, Dan Pribil, Justin Bogue and Travis Bogue.

Honorary pallbearers were his eight great-grandchildren.

Burial was in the O'Neill Calvary Cemetery in O'Neill.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard was born Dec. 21, 1922, to Frank Jr. and Mary (Sobotka) Pribil on the family farm. He was the second youngest of eight children. He graduated the eighth grade from the nearby country school. After school he worked with his family on their ranch.

On Feb. 12, 1945, he married Ruth Clemens at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. To this union five children were born: Patricia, William, Ann, Karen and Sandra. After their marriage they moved to Lincoln to work at the Goodyear plant that produced war items. After six months the war had ended and his help was needed at home. They moved back to the family ranch where he lived and worked the rest of his life.

In 1974 Leonard and Ruth purchased the Gooch Feed Store. In 1979 they purchased the tank wagon service from Floyd Wilson and combined that service with his feed store. He always enjoyed visiting with anyone who stopped by the feed store especially grandkids. Leonard and Ruth continued to run the feed store and tank wagon service until 2006 when he retired due to health reasons. 

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church his entire life and a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. Leonard also served on the rural fire board and rural school board. He enjoyed listening and dancing to polka music and loved to read the newspaper. He never met a dog that he didn't love.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth; children: Patricia Conway, William Pribil and wife Louann, Ann Storjohann and husband Thomas and Karen Slaymaker and husband Rick, all of O'Neill and Sandra Bogue and husband David of Norfolk; nine grandchildren: Amy Conway, Melissa Drevecky, Mark Storjohann, Jeff Storijohann, Kari Madsen, Vicki Pribil, Dan Pribil, Justin Bogue and Travis Bogue; eight great-grandchildren: Amber Drevecky-Fernau, Alex Storjohann, Kasey Drevecky, Sam Storjohann, Noah Storjohann, Emily Drevecky, Will Madsen and Sadie Madsen; one great-great-grandchild, Blake Fernau; one sister, Ann Knower of Massachusetts and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Ed Conway; three sisters and three brothers.