Leonard Guttormson • 1914 - 2005

Leonard Guttormson, 90, New Rockford, ND, and formerly of Des Lacs, died Friday, July 29, 2005, in the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.

Leonard Elif Guttormson was born on November 23, 1914, the son of Steve and Tillie (Running) Guttormson near Ryder, North Dakota. He was raised and educated in the Ryder area. As a young adult, he assisted his parents with the operation of the family farm, and other area farmers as well. He farmed, threshed, and hauled bundles with horses. He also helped his dad build roads with horses.

He entered the United States Army on February 6, 1942. He proudly served his country during WWII and was stationed in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged on October 1, 1945.

Leonard was united in marriage to Alice Raszler on November 18, 1949, in Bismarck, ND. They made their home on a farm, located in Vang Township of Ward County, south of Des Lacs. There they farmed, ranched and raised seven children. They moved into Des Lacs in 1977. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Alice on December 16, 1985, and his youngest son, Paul, on July 24, 1984.

Following his retirement, he spent several summers mowing road ditches for Ward County. He also worked for Vern Stevick, assisted his son, Lynn, with his backhoe business, and his son, Wade, with farming.

He later moved to Dakota Terrace Apartments in Minot and then to the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva. He resided there until June of 2000, when he moved to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND.

Leonard was a member of the Rose Valley Lutheran Church, Des Lacs, and its church council.

Surviving family includes: children, Lynn Guttormson of Minot, Faye Johnson of Minot, Dean (Dustie) Guttormson of Phenix City, Alabama, Wade (Connie) Guttormson of Sawyer, Myra (Sam) Hettich of Minneapolis, MN, and Joel (Karla) Guttormson of Beulah;grandchildren, Jason Guttormson, Jamie and Brandi Guttormson, Erin and Sara Guttormson, Chad, Todd, and Emily Guttormson, and April and Ivy Johnson; great-grandchildren, Rebekah and Rachel Guttormson;
sisters, Ella Liefson of Escondido, CA, Georgia Bonderenko of Minot, and Pearl Karna of Makoti; brother, Oscar Guttormson of Berthold; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, Paul Guttormson, brothers, Henry, Lloyd, and Clarence Guttormson; sisters, Evie Neshem, Stella Lembcke, Regina Hansen, Mildred Rice, and Alice Guttormson.

Funeral: Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at Rose Valley Lutheran Church, Minot, ND.

Interment: Rose Valley Lutheran Cemetery, Des Lacs, ND.

Visitation: Tuesday from Noon until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Officiant: Pastor Debra Lommen - Pastor at Lutheran Home of Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND

Music: Klint Hanson, Vocalist, "In The Garden" & "How Great Thou Art"
April Johnson, Organist/Accompanist
Congregational Hymns: "Amazing Grace" #448 & "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" #551

Honorary Bearers: Leonard's family and friends

Active Bearers: Rodney Hansen, Ron Neshem, Larry Guttormson, Ken Raszler, Larry Aipperspach Mickey Karna

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