Leland Burtness, 81, rural Minot, died Sunday, May 6, 2007, in a Minot hospital.

Leland was born December 15, 1925, in Westhope, ND, the son of Carl and Clara (Berget) Burtness. He was raised on the family farm in Sherman Township of Bottineau County, near Antler, ND. He attended the Sherman Township School and later attained a G.E.D.

Leland enlisted in the US Army on April 16, 1946 and served in the Philippines and in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged on October 16, 1947. Following his faithful service, Leland returned to the family farm.

Leland was united in marriage to Ardis Larson on December 20, 1954, at the Larson family home near Newburg, ND. Leland and Ardis raised small grains and kept a dairy herd for several years. During those years they had four children. In 1968, the family moved to Marysville, WA. Leland was employed by the Marysville Public Schools doing maintenance work and Ardis was a teacher in the same district. Leland also "commuted" to ND to tend the farm each spring during those years. The family returned to ND in 1971 and made their home in Minot. Leland continued to operate as a "sidewalk farmer" until his retirement in 1991.

Leland was a former member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Antler and Christ Lutheran of Minot. He also belonged to the Minot Eagles Aerie and the National Rifle Association.

In recent years Leland was a member of Saron Lutheran Church of rural Minot. He and Ardis belonged to a Good Sam RV Club. They enjoyed many weekend outings in their motor home along with fellow members of their RV group. Also during his retirement years Leland took a special interest in beekeeping. Another of his great joys was the yard and trees that he planted around the home that he and Ardis had built south of Minot. Leland maintained an interest in hunting, camping, and the outdoors throughout his life, but his family was always of the greatest importance to him. He will be greatly missed by all who shared in his life.

Surviving family includes: Loving wife of 52 years: Ardis, Minot; Children: Wynne (Cindy) Burtness, Ula (Larry) Widdel, Brenda (Dale) Pietsch, and Barry Burtness, all of Minot; Grandchildren: Lee Widdel, Cindy Widdel, Sara (Dean) Beaudrie, Bobbi Allard, Amy (Matt) Schaefer, Jason (Amie) Burtness, Amynda (Jason) Behm, John (Karen) Pietsch; Great-Grandchildren: Kendra Harrington, Josie Allard, Laurae Beaudrie, Karl Behm, and Jacob Schaefer; Sisters: Rosella Lucarelli, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Pearl Burtness, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Ardith Kelly, Anacortes, WA and Arlene (Bob) Suryan, Stanwood, WA; Brother: Vern (Muriel) Burtness, Anacortes, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, C.J. Widdel, brother, Clarence Burtness and sisters, Violet Peterson and Clarice Humpa.

Funeral Service: Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Saron Lutheran Church, rural Minot, ND;
Interment: Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Minot, ND;
Visitation: There will be no reviewal, however family and friends may sign a memorial register book on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Saron Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, rural Minot, Bethel Lutheran Cemetery Fund, near Antler or an organization of the donor's choice.