Donovan O. Leith was born on June 29, 1936, to Orval and Eleanor (Conn) Leith. He grew up in the Bartlett area and attended the Bartlett School. On April 8, 1965, Donovan married Ruby Nelson of Lakota and together they raised three children; Barb, Lisa & Steven.
In his early years he went south custom harvesting. He still talked about all the places they went helping the farmers harvest their crops. Donovan was a farmer at heart, and loved working in the fields, getting his hands dirty raising wheat, barley and sunflowers. Later on, he and his son, Steve, started a custom harvesting business and went down south yet again. He was very excited about this new adventure. After retiring from farming and custom work he enjoyed working in the shop, tinkering with things and such. In that shop, every tool, nut and bolt had a home, he kept everything so organized and he always knew where everything was. He also enjoyed keeping up his yard, mowing almost every day.
In 2017 Donovan and Ruby moved to Devils Lake. He always said, the winters around here can get pretty brutal and moving snow gets to be a lot. Donovan was always looking out for his family and in 2025 they moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Lakota. At first, he wasn’t so sure about that, but he knew it was best for him and Ruby.
Donovan loved and cared deeply for his family. Always calling to make sure everyone was ok.
Donovan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruby of Lakota, ND; children, Barb (Darrell) Schill of Langdon, ND, Lisa (Randy) Miller of Lakota, ND and Steve (Jane) Leith of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Tanya Schill, Ryan Schill, Chris (Mahalia) Miller, Matt Miller and Cory Leith; they are expecting their first great-grandchild next year along with Piper Varnson; siblings, Darrell Leith, Doug (Janet) Leith; sister-in-law, Joan Leith; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Eleanor Leith; siblings, Dick Leith and Delores Glenz and sister-in-law Esther Leith.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Aaker Funeral Home in Lakota, ND. Burial will be at the Lakota Cemetery.
Arrangements made with Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota.