Tobias "Toby" Lemer

Tobias Martin Lemer, 81, of Pick City, passed away on March 10, 2025 at the Benedictine Living Center, Garrison, ND.  Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT, Saturday, March 15, 2025, at St. Martin Catholic Church, Hazen with Fr. Tom Grafsgaard officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Martin Catholic Cemetery, Hazen.

Toby was born February 11, 1944 to Magdalena (Volk) and Ludwig Lemer in Harvey ND. He was raised in Drake, ND. Toby grew up on the family farm in Drake with his four brothers and three sisters. When he was nineteen he met Petronilla Ann Held from Selz, ND. They married on October 25th, 1965. Together they raised four boys and three girls. Over the years, Toby made his living and supported his family by working on the ABM site in Edmore, ND. After that he built pole barns and basements. Eventually, he started his own business, Lemer Construction. Toby and Patty moved to Hazen in 1977. They owned Lindell Motel and Toby continued running Lemer Construction. After he retired from the construction business, he joined the Carpenter’s Union and became a Millwright. He worked as a Millwright until he retired.

Toby’s Catholic faith was very important to him. He raised all of his kids in the faith. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree Knight as well.

Toby enjoyed hunting and fishing. He never turned down an opportunity to go fishing. One of his best memories was salmon fishing on the Great Lakes with his brother-in-law, Ron. He also enjoyed his trip to the coast with his kids and grandkids. He relished being a grandpa and great-grandfather. Family was everything. He never wanted to miss a family gathering. Many of his nieces and nephews have fond memories of him squeezing their cheeks every time he saw them. He would take impromptu trips to the family farm just to visit with his brother, George. Toby loved to visit. He enjoyed his morning coffee visits with the ladies at Scott’s and he was always on the phone. 

Toby’s sobriety was very important to him. With his sobriety and spirituality, he helped others find sobriety and strengthen their faith. His laugh and voice were one of a kind and filled a room. There was no denying his presence in a room. He will be missed by many.

Toby is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patty, Garrison; daughter, Lisa (Mike) Schwindt, Dickinson, sons, Mike Lemer, Hazen, Dave (Jackie) Lemer, Vale, Oregon, Bill (Bobbe) Lemer, Stanton, daughters, Kathy (Rick) Reich, Hazen, Marcie (Shawn) Robinson, Hazen; one brother, George Lemer of Drake, ND; sisters, Aggie (Bill) Schlegel, Colorado, Lenora (Ron) Labrecque, Georgia, Gloria Schneider, Minnesota, sisters-in-law, Anna and JoAnn Lemer both of Minot and Judy Lemer, Drake, brothers-in-law, Carroll Risinger, Montana, and Tim (Bev) Held Selz, sisters-in-law, Carol Held, Minot, and Dyanne (Ron) Leinen, Wisconsin 

Toby has been blessed with many grandchildren: Patrick Jr. Lemer (Zoe), Kayla Weigum (Ethan), Lucas and Abigail Lemer, Preston Neumiller, Shelby and Callie Lemer, Travis (Nicky) Schneider, Alisha Hoover, Brandi and David (Jesse) Lemer, Jayden (Hannah), Evan (Jaedyn), Kaytlin, Dawson and Landen Reich, Martin, Magen and Raeh Robinson

Great grandchildren: Owen and Karlee Crane, Zac Schneider, Rebecca and Austin Jager, Autumn Cartwright,  Cambree, David III, Hadlee, and Lucas Lemer, Makayah, Maddax, and Gunner Zinie, Brayden and Natasha Neumiller, Everleigh and Adeline Reich, Rowan and Halzey Reich.

Great-great grandson, Xavier.

Tobias is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Patrick Lemer; brothers, Raymond, Daniel, and Adam Lemer; his in-laws, Helen and John Held, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

            •Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Homes, Hazen and Beulah.

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