Father Leo Kinney, 60, Minot, ND, passed away Monday, November 11, 2019, at St. Lukes Home in Dickinson, ND.

Leo Clayton Kinney, son of Clayton Andrew and Janet (Leathley) Kinney was born October 2, 1959 at Mt. Home Air Force Base, Idaho where he lived his first five years and completed Kindergarten. He was the fifth of six children. In 1965, he moved with his family to East Grand Forks, MN where he continued his education at Sacred Heart Catholic School through the 3rd grade. On April 4, 1968 the family moved to Minot AFB, ND where they resided until 1972 when they moved into Minot following his fathers retirement. He graduated from Minot High in 1977 and that fall enrolled at Minot State University where he graduated in 1981 with a BA degree in accounting, management and math. While attending MSU he was employed at Sears.

In 1981, he moved to Bottineau, ND where he served as Director of Business Administration at the San Haven Division of the Grafton Development Center for five years.

In 1986 he enrolled at the Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo and graduated in 1988 with a BA Degree in Philosophy and Humanities from NDSU. He then entered the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas where he earned his Master of Divinity in May of 1991. He was ordained a deacon on December 7, 1991 at St. Paul Seminary and was ordained a priest on June 6, 1992 at St. Marys Cathedral in Fargo by Bishop James Sullivan. He first served as parochial vicar of St. Marys in Fargo, and St. Williams church is Argusville. He was administrator at the Cathedral in Faro from 1993 to 1994. In 1994 he was assigned to the Anamoose area and stayed there until 2006. He served as administrator of St. Josephs in Balfour, St. Margaret Marys in Drake, and St. Francis Xaviers in Anamoose. He was named pastor in Anamoose, Esmond, and Drake in 1996. He was chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission from 1997-1998. He was administrator and later of pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Orrin from 2003-2006. He was pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Reynolds from 2006-2007. He was pastor of St. Rose Church in Hillsboro from 2006-2012, and of Argusville for part of this time. He served St. Stephens in Larimore as pastor from 2012-2014. His final service to the diocese was as full time chaplain to the Veterans Hospital in Fargo from 2014-2017. Towards the end of his life, Fr. Kinney suffered from ill health. He retired in 2017 and moved to Minot to live near family.

Fr. Kinney like theology and was happy to give answers when questions came up. He learned needle pointing and enjoying square dancing and reading. He had a Fontanini Nativity set to which he faithfully added new figures each year.

Surviving family includes:

brothers, David (Gloria) of Berthold, ND, Donald of Minot; sisters, Pauline Brown of Selma, NC and Lynne Rhoades of Minot, ND, sister-in-law Lana (Peter) Kinney of Rapid City; Nephews and Nieces: Wilton Brown III of Cary, NC, Mark Brown of Fargo, Amanda Kinney of Detroit Lakes, MN, Adam Brown of Selma, NC, Benjamin Rhoades of Minot, Carolyn Burrous, Lawrenceville, PA, Karley Kinney, of Leeds; Great Nephews and Nieces: Joshua Kinney of Detroit Lakes, MN, Logan Brown of Raleigh, NC, Trinity Burrous, Lawrenceville PA, Wilton Brown IV of Cary, NC; numerous uncle, aunts, and cousins; long term family friends, the Soles and Palmers.

Father Leo was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother Peter.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.