Leonard Hetland

Leonard A. Hetland, 88, Bismarck, ND, died May 26, 2008, from complications of Alzheimer's at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center under the care of hospice. His journey was long but with the loving care of family and friends it was made easier. Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Nate Keith officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm Friday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Leonard "Lenny" Hetland was born June 7, 1919, in Arnegard, ND, the son of Leonard and Jensena Nygaard Hetland. Leonard grew up in Arnegard and Watford City, ND, graduating from Watford City High School in 1937. He married June Sharkey in 1937. He moved to Bismarck in 1937 where he worked at the Prince Hotel as the bookkeeper, registered guests and operated the switchboard for 6 years before entering the US Army on April 28, 1944 at Fort Snelling, MN. He completed basic training at Camp Carson, CO. He was deployed from New Jersey in Dec. 16, 1944 with the 133rd Evacuation Hospital as Technician Fifth Grade. He served as a surgical technician in the European Theatre until being honorably discharged on Feb. 2, 1946. Leonard earned the Good Conduct Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. After the war he returned to the Prince Hotel as assistant manager where he worked until 1957. On Nov. 19, 1950 he married Vera Agnes Goodrich. Leonard worked from 1957-2002 44 years in automobile sales at Fleck Motors, Ned Nastrom Motors, and Wilhelm Motors selling Buick's, Oldsmobile's, and Cadillac's, retiring at the age of 82. His car customers not only included many Bismarck/Mandan residents but also people from across the state and country. He was the recipient of numerous sales awards. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a life member of the American Legion, a 47 year member of the Elks, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Leonard was particularly proud of his membership of Apple Creek Country Club where he participated in the men's league, organized tournaments, and supported the dining room by bringing numerous guests for brunch. Leonard played his last rounds of golf in 2007 with the help of his two sons and special friends, Bob Olson and Randy Lehmann. He was an avid fan of Twin's baseball and Viking's football. He loved to garden and particularly enjoyed raising and eating tomatoes. Leonard and Vera enjoyed traveling around the country visiting their family and friends. They spent 38 years traveling to Hawaii every winter. They attended many reunions of the 133rd Evacuation Hospital unit in Omaha, NE. Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Vera; two sons, Gene Carol, Mililani, HI and Bob Elizabeth, River Falls, WI; two daughters, Elizabeth Duane Peterson, Columbia Falls, MT and Mary Gene Van Eeckhout, Jamestown, ND; 11 grandchildren, Christie, Michelle, HI, Bradley, WI, Bethany, MN, Brett, IA, Hallie, Brent, Brad, Brook, MT, Adam, CO and Alex, MN; 13 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Andrew, Laughlin, NV; special friends, Bob, Kathy and Delaney Olson, Randy and Bernelda Lehmann, Brooks and Elaine Hanna and Peter and Cindy Ostman. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, Steven; three sisters, Sylvia, Florence, and Lavonne and one brother, James. The family requests that memorials be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer's Association, or the hospice of their choice.

Leonard Hetland

June 7, 1919 - May 26, 2008