Leslie Norstedt

Leslie Roy Norstedt, 80, Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on May 31, 2008. Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Randy Emgarten officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck where a time of sharing will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. He was born in Stanley, North Dakota at the Monson Home on March 24, 1928 to Elvira Nelson and Ralph Norstedt. He was raised on the family farm near White Earth, North Dakota in Mountrail County receiving his education through the ninth grade. He joined the Army in December 1946 and served at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Fort Hancock, New Jersey in the Mine Command in New York Harbor. He was honorably discharged in May 1948. He married Phyllis Willmert on May 28, 1950 at Stanley, North Dakota. Leslie attended North Dakota State College of Science under the GI Bill and graduated in March of 1950 with a degree in plumbing and heating. He worked in Bowbells for Joe Klassen Plumbing for a time before moving to Seattle, Washington where he worked for Boeing Aircraft in the plumbing maintenance department. In August 1952, they returned to North Dakota, and Leslie was employed with Standard Oil in Minot and Bismarck. He also worked as manager and bartender at Kavaney's Bar and then was employed in maintenance work at Bismarck Hospital and Annunciation Priory. He received his GED in 1973 from Bismarck South Central High School. His family was very proud of him that night. After receiving his GED, he enrolled in the welding program at Bismarck Junior College. He went to work at Melroe and retired in 1990. He was very active in the AFL-CIO Union, and was a member of the Melroe 1000 Club until his death. He was a life member of the Bismarck Eagles Aerie #2237, and served as a trustee for 5 years. He was a charter and life member of Amvets Post #9 and served as chairman of the driving excellence program for youth for a number of years, both locally and statewide. He also belonged to Disabled American Veterans of Bismarck and was a life member of the American Legion Post #133 of Turtle Lake, North Dakota, where he also served in the Honor Guard. He belonged to the United Commercial Travelers for over 50 years. He was known for never forgetting a name and his grandson once asked him if there was anyone he didn't know. He was also the historian of his family as he remembered everything. Everyone who knew Leslie has a story to tell, and he also was well known for his stories, and many times, they took a long time to tell. They moved to Bismarck in 1953 and lived there until 1993 when Phyllis retired, and they moved to their lake home at Brush Lake at Mercer, North Dakota. He was considered the unofficial Mayor of Brush Lake. Throughout all of Leslie's careers, he accumulated many different tools, and people at Brush Lake always knew where they would be able to find the right tool for the right job. Leslie always found time to attend events for his grandchildren, hockey, skating, football, track, baseball and softball. He was fond of spending time with his great-grandsons who lived in Bismarck, one of whom was born on his birthday. Each month, his children hosted a family get-together which was a highlight of his life. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; three daughters and sons-in-law, Anastasia Larry Schlafman, Bismarck, ND, Linda Chuck Ehli, Lincoln, ND and Sharon Allen Wagner, Turtle Lake, ND and two sons and one daughter-in-law, Steven Ros, Bismarck, ND and Ken, Boise, ID. He also leaves granddaughters, Kari Ann Bill Peterson of Raeford, NC, and Jodi Norstedt, Bismarck, ND, Chantel Ehli, Lincoln, ND, Jessie Steven Gutsch, and Faye Andy Urbana, Denver, CO also special granddaughter, Courtney Hausauer, Mercer, ND, and grandsons, David Tess Schlafman, Bismarck, ND, Jaden and Blake Wagner, Turtle Lake, ND and Wyatt Ehli of Bismarck, ND and several great-grandchildren. Leslie also leaves one sister, Louise Dale Carter, Stanley, ND; sisters-in-law, Esther Norstedt, Doreen Norstedt, Mickey Peterson, Dodie Baumer, Karen Werner, Beatrice Benda, Barbara Nagel, and Bev Benda-Moe; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ralph Jr., and Frank, and mother-in-law Katherine Benda.

Leslie Norstedt

March 24, 1928 - May 31, 2008