Friends may watch the service here: http://www.facebook.com/holyfamilygf/

Lester Frank Nienas, 90, formerly of Grand Forks, ND, was called home to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Infinity Hospice Care in Las Vegas, NV after a brief illness. Lester was born on July 3, 1936 at the hospital in Northwood, ND.  He was the youngest of two children born to Frank K. Nienas and Dora (Holweger) Nienas. He was raised on the family farm South of Emerado, ND, and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Pleasant View Township, graduating from the 8th grade. He farmed with his father as a young man.

Les met his True Love while roller skating in Reynolds, ND, during the summer of 1957. They were introduced by his cousin Weldon, who was friends with her brother Ardie, and the rest is history! He converted to the Catholic faith, and on November 5, 1958 Les was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Schumacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Reynolds. Following their marriage, they made their home in Grand Forks, where they still resided at the time of Ruth's death in 2021. Les and Ruth were married for 62 years, and were blessed with two children. They were charter members of Holy Family Catholic Church, which they attended most of their married life. After Ruth passed away, Les moved to Las Vegas to be closer to his kids and grandkids.

After getting married, Les worked winters at the Armour Meat Processing Plant and summers with Grand Forks County as a heavy equipment operator. In 1966 he was employed by the Pillsbury Company at their potato processing plant in Grand Forks. He worked in many capacities with Pillsbury over the years. He obtained his GED in the mid 70's and was promoted to Warehouse Manager and Wholesale Potato Buyer. He served in this position until the plant was closed in 1989. He worked at several other jobs in the area until his retirement in 1994.

Les was an avid reader. It was his favorite pastime, he especially liked his daily Grand Forks Herald and Louis L'Amour westerns, but ANY western novel (or movie) would do! He and his family enjoyed camping at several area lakes while the kids and grandkids were growing up. Many weekends and vacations were spent with groups of friends and family enjoying campfires, dancing, waterskiing and cooking together. Over the years Les & Ruth also liked going snowmobiling and league bowling, including many tournaments around ND. They especially enjoyed evening get-togethers with family or other couples for card playing. They spent many winters in Las Vegas during their retirement, where they discovered their love of casinos!

Les is survived by his daughter Terri (James) Fox and son Mark Nienas, all of Las Vegas, NV; 3 grandchildren: Lindsey (Mike) Rose and Jacob Nienas, all of Las Vegas and Haley (Gunner) Neet, currently stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in NM. Sisters-in Law: Jean (Lloyd) Schreiner of Grand Forks, Ethel Adams of Coon Rapids, MN, Bonnie (Larry) Kitchell of St. George, UT, Judy Schumacher of Grand Forks and Joan Schumacher of Grand Rapids, MI. Also several cousins, nieces & nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents and parents-in-law John & Luella Schumacher; sister Violet Nygaard; sister-in-law, Sherri Nienas; brothers-in-Law: Kenny Nygaard, Vernon Schumacher, Gerald "Bud" Schumacher, Bernard Schumacher, Arden Schumacher, Tom Reilly & Gerald "Red" Adams; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Reilly, Donna Schumacher & Mary Ellen Schumacher. Also several cousins, nieces & nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 8th at 11:00am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

Visitation/viewing at the church will start one hour before mass, at 10:00am.

Lunch and fellowship will immediately follow the service in the church social hall.

Interment will be on Monday August 10, 2026 at Calvary South Cemetery at 1:00 pm.