Leonard Oliver Pietsch
June 2, 1921-Jan. 20, 2017
Leonard Oliver Pietsch,
95, longtime South Prairie
area resident died on Fri-
day, January 20, 2017 in a
Minot nursing home.
Leonard was born June
2, 1921 to Gustav and
Thea (Carlson) Pietsch on
the family farm south of
Minot in Freedom Town-
ship of Ward County. He
was raised on the family
farm and educated at a
rural school. As a young
adult, he assisted his fam-
ily on the farm.
Leonard married Thel-
ma Bjelland on October
15, 1941 at the courthouse
in Watford City. Their
wedding shower was held
on December 7, 1941, “A
Date Which Will Live in
Infamy.” Leonard and
Thelma made their home
on their ranch for three
years before Leonard was
drafted into the US Army
at Fort Snelling, MN. He
was discharged shortly
after due to a pre-existing
health issue, the loss of
his thumb. After returning
to Minot, he was em-
ployed by the Minot Fire
Department as a fire-
fighter. He then went on
to own and operate
Pietsch Construction,
Northern Marble and
Pietsch Sign Company. In
1972, Leonard and Thel-
ma moved to Salida, CO
where they owned and
operated the Highlander
Motel and Lamplighter
Restaurant and Lounge. In
the mid-1980’s, Leonard
made a trip to Libya, in
northern Africa to help in
the construction of a cul-
tural runway. He owned
and leased out several
buildings in the Minot
area. He and Thelma
spent many winters in
Mesa, AZ before she
passed away on January
23, 2005.
Leonard was a longtime
member of Saron Luth-
eran Church and also a
member of the Elk’s
Lodge, the Eagle’s Aerie
and the Moose Lodge. For
many years, he was one of
the volunteer caretakers
of Saron Cemetery. He
especially enjoyed travel-
ing, hunting, fishing, car-
pentry, and light con-
struction. He thoroughly
enjoyed shooting trap and
won many awards over
the years. Playing cards
was a favorite. There was
always time for a game of
cribbage.
Family: Leonard’s lov-
ing family includes his
children: Christine (Jim)
Graves of Seattle, WA and
Dale (Brenda) Pietsch of
Minot; daughter-in-law:
Nancy Pietsch of Minot;
four Grandchildren: John
(Karen) Pietsch of Lake-
wood, CO, Amynda
“Amy” (Jason) Behm of
Minot, Carrie (Marty)
Powell of Gardiner, MT,
and Richard (Beth)
Pietsch of Minot;
Great-grandchildren:
Ethan and Alaina Powell,
Karl and Jameson Behm,
and Evelyn and Eli
Pietsch; Brother Gerhardt
Pietsch of Melbourne, FL
and several nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Leonard was preceded
in death by his parents,
Gustav and Thea Pietsch;
wife, Thelma; son Vernon
Pietsch; sister, Clara and
brothers Carl, Clifford, Er-
nest, Herman, Elvin, and
Alfred.
Celebration of the life
of Leonard Pietsch:
Wednesday, January 25th,
2017 at 11:00 am at Saron
Lutheran Church, rural
Minot.
Interment: Saron Luth-
eran Church Cemetery,
rural Minot. A graveside
service will take place at a
later date.
Visitation: Tuesday,
January 24th from 3 pm-6
pm at Thomas Family
Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred
to the Saron Lutheran
Church Cemetery Fund.
Those wishing to sign
the online memorial regis-
ter or share memories and
condolences are invited to
use the expressions of
sympathy section at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.