Lenard Alvin Mayer was born on February 12, 1922 in a farmhouse near Herrick, SD; the son of Jacob and Mary (Goetz) Mayer. He attended country school and then high school at Burke. He graduated from mechanics school in New York and then became an airplane mechanic during World War II being stationed at Harvard, NE. He was honorably discharged in February, 1946 and then began farming on the Mayer Homestead.
On November 13, 1943, Lenard was united in marriage to Betty Clausen at Burke, SD; and to this union six children were born: Karen, Sherilyn, Joyce, Becky, Linda, and Steven. He farmed until 1985 when he and Betty moved to Burke. After Bettys death, Lenard married Mari Armfield in March of 1995. They resided in ONeill, NE until Maris death in 2003 whereupon, he moved back to Burke. Later, Lenard resided at Whispering Pines in Burke until February 1, 2010 when he was moved to the Vermillion Care Center, Vermillion, SD.
Lenard was a wonderful husband and father, hard-working, kind, gentle and generous. He was a great Christian example. He had a servants heart and was always willing to help his neighbors never expecting anything in return. He was a member of the Jamison Full Gospel Church, Jamison, NE until it closed. He then became a member of Union Baptist Church, Burke, SD.
Lenard is survived by his twin sister, Lorene Farrand; his children: Karen (Rick) Wearne of Vermillion, SD; Joyce Kenaston of Aurora, CO; Becky (Clyde) Teel of Sioux Falls; Linda (Richard) Tietgen of Burke; and Steve (Lisa) Mayer of Burke; Stepchildren: Kristy (Tom) Reddy of Redmond, WA; Gene Armfield of Minneapolis; and Susie Tollman of Golden Valley, MN; 22 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Betty, his second wife Mari, his daughter Sherilyn, his son-in-law Bob Kenaston, his parents, sisters: Edna, Frieda and Martha; his brother Ervin; three brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law and a nephew.
Lenard A. Mayer entered eternal peace on March 22, 2010 at the Vermillion Care Center, Vermillion, SD at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 10 days. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Union Baptist Church in Burke. Burial will be held at a later date. There will be a prayer service on Thursday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.