Rev. Dr. Leland Elhard

Rev. Dr. Leland E. Elhard, 78, Bismarck, died June 26, 2010, at the Baptist Home, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church, Robinson, with Rev. Allen Wagner and Bishop Mark Narum officiating. Clergy need not vest. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Leland was born September 3, 1931, to John Y. and Elsie Kaaz Elhard on the family farm near Section 22, Raney Township, LaMoure County, near Jud, ND. He was sure that the first words he ever heard were, “Ein Knabe,” as the German-speaking midwife announced, “A boy.” Leland graduated valedictorian from Jud High School in 1948. He attended N.D.A.C. in Fargo for two years and graduated from Capital University in Columbus, OH, in 1953. At The Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Leland received his Master of Divinity degree and was encouraged by its President, Dr. Edward Fendt, to pursue a doctorate. Leland was accepted into the Religion and Personality Program at the University of Chicago Divinity School and received his degree in 1965. He was ordained in 1960, and the 50th anniversary of his ordination was recognized at the recent Western North Dakota Synod Assembly. Leland served as pastor at North Cape Lutheran Church in Wisconsin while finishing his dissertation. Leland taught at ELTS, later known as Trinity Lutheran Seminary for 36 years, where he shaped the curriculum as well as community life. He was a creative and innovative teacher, and pastor to many students, staff, and faculty. After retiring to Bismarck with his wife, Valerie Kinlan, Leland taught at Bismarck State College and occasionally served as Chaplain at Medcenter One. He continued to study and learn, enjoying the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and joining the Germans from Russia Heritage Society to discover more about his ancestors. He enjoyed living by the Missouri River with his wife, Valerie, and boating on the river. Leland is survived by his wife of 26 years, Valerie Kinlan, and four sons from a previous marriage, Joel of Hilliard, OH, Paul Julie of Hilliard, OH, Tim of Mountain Ranch, CA, and Jay of Denali National Park, Alaska; grandchildren, Hannah and Sam; and great grandchildren, Hunter and Joanna, all of OH. Leland has many, many, cousins in ND, CA, MN, ID, and NM; and two aunts in NE. One of his greatest joys was gathering with them and telling family stories. Leland was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joyce and brother, Cleo Jerry, and high school pal, Dennis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Joyce and Jerry Elhard Counsel Fund, c/o Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E Main St., Columbus, OH, 43209.

Rev. Dr. Leland Elhard

September 3, 1931 - June 26, 2010