Leonard O. Smestad, 60, Minot, died Thursday, June 25, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Leonard Odell Smestad was born Jan. 12, 1949, in Minot, to Morris and Marles (Harstad) Smestad. He attended Job Corps in Minot where he earned his GED.

Leonard served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War on the USS Kitty Hawk. He was honorably discharged and returned to North Dakota.

On Oct. 2, 1970, he married Gloria Hoppman and to this union three sons were born, Leonard Jr., Calvin and Jeffrey. They later divorced.

He later moved to Parker, Ariz., where he was camp host at Emerald Cove retirement park for over 15 years.

While growing up Leonard enjoyed spending time at the farm and farming with his dad.

Those who shared in his life: sons, Leonard L. Jr., Quartzite, Ariz., Calvin A., Sherwood, and Jeffrey A. (Roxanne), Monument, Colo.; mother, Marles Smestad, Minot; brothers and sisters, Donald Smestad, LeRoy (Sherri) Smestad, Ronald (Heather) Smestad, and Lois Zahn, all of Minot, Linda (Delwyn) Newman, Lemmon, S.D., Mary (Tim) Lingelbach, Riverdale, Karen (Ross) Carter, Sherwood; numerous nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his father, Morris Smestad; sister-in-law, Beverly Smestad; and his grandparents.

Funeral: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Today, June 29, 2009, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Leonard may access the online

obituaries at (www.thompsonlarson.com).