Leslie Duane Engstrom

Leslie Engstrom, 76, Bismarck, died April 7, 2012, at his home. Services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, April 12, at First Baptist Church, 306 E Divide Ave, Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Gibson officiating. Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon, Friday, April 13, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, April 11, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 East Divide Ave, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Leslie Duane was born April 21, 1935, in Wilton, ND, the son of Adolf and Josephen Bly Engstrom. He spent the first 18 years of his life in Wilton, graduating from Wilton High School in 1953. Following graduation, Leslie worked as a teacher in Baldwin, ND, at the Burnt Creek School District #1. He enlisted in the US Navy in July of 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958. Leslie was united in marriage to Donella Mae Roberts on September 24, 1955, in San Diego, CA. Together, they were involved in the Burleigh County Foster Parent Organization, and members of First Baptist Church where they served youth groups, on the board of trustees, and as ushers. Leslie accepted a position with the ND State Highway Department as a computer operator/programmer. In 1960, Leslie and Donella moved to Billings, MT, where he worked as the Director of Date Processing with the Eastern Montana College of Education. They moved back to Bismarck in August of 1961 and Leslie worked as Data Processing Director with the Department of Public Instruction. Leslie was appointed editor of the North Dakota Educational Directory and later promoted to Coordinator of Information Systems in 1967. In 1976, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Information and Research. In 1980, Leslie was promoted to the position of Director of Surplus Property in the Department of Public Instruction. He later worked for the IRS where he retired in 1995 as a Tax Service Specialist. Leslie was a member of the US Army Reserve until 1995, when he retired with the rank of Master Sergeant E8. Leslie and Donella were involved in the ownership of Pioneer General Store in Wing, ND, and the Stanton Super Valu in Stanton, ND. They designed and built their own A-frame cottage at Lake Sakakawea. Leslie enjoyed bow hunting, volleyball, softball, basketball, jogging, woodcarving, auto and bicycle restoration, rock hound and overall enjoying his retirement and traveling. Leslie is survived by his wife, Donella, Bismarck; his children, four daughters, Terry Bill Upham, Minot, ND, Julie McLain special friend, Wayne Entze, Stanton, ND, Bonnie Greg Bechtold, Minot, ND, and Marnell Ken Kelly, Farmington, NM, and son, Jay Engstrom, Minneapolis, MN; two sisters, Leatrice Bob Eik, Fargo, and Barbara Mack Caldwell, FL; brother, Virgle Shirley Engstrom, Bismarck; four grandsons, Justin Jennie Upham, Reno, NV, Joshua Upham, Mandan, Jesse Upham, Minot, and Trever Bechtold, Minot, and granddaughter, Loralei Upham, Minot; his great-grandchildren, Gage Upham, Gavin Upham and Lily Upham; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cecil and Martha Roberts; his grandson, Ryan Upham; son-in-law, Ed McLain; brothers, Larry and Ronald Engstrom; sisters, Virginia Craven and Betty Lind; brother-in-law, Leo Dockter and sister-in-law, Brenda Olson.

Leslie Duane Engstrom

April 21, 1935 - April 7, 2012