Leonard "Babe" Werre, 82, passed away due to complications of pneumonia on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, North Dakota.

Leonard Benjamin Werre was born in Elgin, North Dakota, on December 21, 1932 to Edwin and Lydia Werre. He was the youngest of four siblings; thus the nickname "Babe." He was born with all his faculties, but as a toddler, he became sick with a very high fever that left him a deaf mute.

Funeral services for our beloved Babe will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015, 1:00 p.m. MT, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Brian Knutson and Pastor Marvin Winstryg of Bethesda UMC, officiating.

Pallbearers will be Gene Pinks, Alex Vigil, Scooter Pinks, Antonio Navarro, Chris Pinks, and Ethan Clark. Honorary Pallbearers are Keith and Isaac Gibbs, Leo Werre, Byris Haslid, Jay and Brian Werre, Joe Deitz, and Babe's co-workers.

Viewing and visitation will be on Thursday, April 2, 2015, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, and one hour before services on Friday at the church.

In 1996, Babe met his beloved to-be wife, Sally Lois Smith, who had moved to Elgin from Utah. He was such a gentleman, he brought lilacs to her (that he had picked out of someone else's yard), the first time he paid her a visit. After dating for a time, in 1998 Babe pointed to the calendar and informed (didn't ask) Sally that they were getting married, which they did on December 18, 1998 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. You rarely saw one of them without the other; they were each other's best friend in the world.

Babe was a very hard worker all his life. He worked for his uncle, Benny Roth, on the farm near Elgin, working cattle, harvesting crops, etc. for many years. He attended upholstery school at one time and learned to upholster beautiful pieces there that were sold. Babe worked at Dittus Farm Implements in Elgin as a diesel mechanic for several years. His co-workers were some of his best friends. They had told his wife, Sally, over the years, what a hard worker Babe was and that he could put together new farm equipment without looking at the plans, and sometimes was the first to figure out what repairs were needed on various pieces of equipment, combines, etc.

For a few years, he helped the City of Elgin with summer street repair work. And in recent years, he was a dedicated volunteer at Elgin True Value and Seib's Sports Bar. Babe took those responsibilities very seriously, sometimes even refusing to take a lunch break with his wife.

He was an avid card player all his life and in later years, was in several Texas Hold 'em tournaments in the state. Babe was very proud to be able to play in the (big one) Texas Hold 'em State Tournament in Bismarck a few years ago.

Besides playing cards, his hobbies included fishing, board games, going to the casino, visiting with friends and family, traveling, loved to dance and at times, loved to sing and play the spoons for us.

Babe dearly loved his friends and family, who could always depend on him if they needed anything. He had a bigger heart than most could imagine. In earlier years, besides his siblings, his nieces, Linda and Leta were like his children to him as he helped to raise them. Linda and Gene took great care of many things for him before he was married, as did Leta. Among his cousins, Donna (Bruce) Willard of Klamath Falls, OR, and Leo (Vera) Werre of Renton, WA, were actually more brother and sister to him, as they grew up together and were very close throughout their lives.

Babe was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his beloved brother, Allen; and sisters, Vi McPherson and Adeline Buchanan; his nieces, Linda Pinks, Leta Clark, Sandy Cox, and Brenda Haddock; brothers-in-law, Johnny Smith, Allen Lee Smith, Eddie Stitt, Clarence Weiss, and Joe Buchanan.

Babe is survived by his loving wife, Sally; stepdaughters, Rachelle Vigil (special friend Elmer) and Cecilya Gibbs; step-grandchildren, Salina (Tyler) Berg, Alex Vigil, Antonio Navarro, Isaac Gibbs, Dani Navarro, Keith Gibbs; step-great-granddaughters, Maleah Sally Berg and Journee Rose Navarro; nephews, Gene Pinks (special friend Nancy), Scooter (Melissa) Pinks, Chris (Marni) Pinks, Orville (Sally) Weiss, Lee Buchanan, Charles (Norma) Nichols; nieces, Pam Tuomala, Lisa Smith (special friend Bill), Johnna Grey; sister-in-law, Lynda Stitt, Mott, ND; and brother-in-law, Charles Ray (Virginia) Smith, Kerrsville, TX; well-loved cousins and other relatives, and friends.

Babe is now dancing with his loved ones and singing all he wants to the Lord.