LeRoy (Joseph) Thomas Cote passed into the Lord’s arms on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. Gabriels/Benedictine Living Community in Bismarck, ND.

Funeral services will be Thursday, July 9, 2026, 10:00am, at St. Anthony’s Church, Hwy 5, approximately seven miles east of Dunseith or eight miles west of Belcourt (near mile marker 247). The wake/visitation will be Wednesday, July 8th, starting at 4:00pm with a rosary service at 7:00pm.

LeRoy was born on March 7, 1933 in Willow City, ND to Noe (Moses) and Alma Cote.

He grew up in a family of 11 kids and farming was his life. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1951 in Willow City, ND. His jobs took him from farming his parents land, working nine years at Hosmer’s grocery store (where he first laid eyes on the love of his life, Celia Gladue), then San Haven as a custodian until they closed their doors in 1987. From there, he worked at ChipTronics/Turtle Mountain Corporation (TMC) until his retirement in 2002.

On April 17, 1968 he married Celia. Together, they had 5 kids, Delores LaRocque (Mandan, ND), Wanda LaRocque (Ken Harris) (Ridgecrest, CA), Jeff (Sue) Cote (Dunseith), Tom Cote (Bismarck) and Dawn Cote (Bismarck).

LeRoy loved to garden, play cards (whist, pinochle, etc.), camp/fish, some wood-working (made a few benches for his grandchildren) and enjoyed many family picnics and Cote reunions.

LeRoy is survived by his 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and brother-in-law, Linus Gladue.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings: Evelyn (Phillip Senechal), Oliva, Adeline (Fred Allard), Olivine (John Allard), Rene (Lorraine), Armand (1. Myra 2. Phyllis), Dineva (James Goodsell), O’Neil, Alice (Marvin Kuhn), and Lillian (Bill Allard).

We would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at Benedictine Living Community (St. Gabriels), where LeRoy had resided the last 3.5 years. He was known to many as “Papa/Grandpa” and touched many lives while he was there.

Thank you also to Nero Funeral Home and Father Michael Slovak (Pastor over St. Anthony’s Church) and Father Sam Medley (Officiant).

Thank you to Helen and Benedict Davis' family for all the help with the kitchen.

Thank you to Arrowhead Printing for the obituary cards.

A time of fellowship to follow the interment/burial service at St. Anthony’s hall next to the church.