Leonard Berce entered heaven on Sept. 16, 2009, in his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service is at 11 a.m. on Monday Sept. 21, 2009, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Williston. The Rev. David Halaas and the Rev. April Peterson are officiating. Interment is at Riverview Cemetery. Calling hours for friends are on Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at 5 p.m. the family is gathering and encourages all of their friends to join them as well for a time of prayer and memories sharing.

Leonard was born in Berthold, on March 8, 1920, to Etta Mae and Lorain Berce. He was exposed to horses at an early age as his father also ranched in the Devils Lake area and was associated with the U.S. Cavalry remount program. An opportunity to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield’s 50th anniversary ceremonies arose in 1926. From a 6-year-old boy who admired the 7th Cavalry drills on that June day, he grew up to enlist in the horse cavalry. He lived in Berthold until age 15, when he worked on farms in the Red River Valley. He went to work for the Great Northern railway in Breckenridge, Minn., in 1940 and graduated from high school in 1941 after working to put himself through school.

Leonard enlisted in the 164th Infantry, North Dakota National Guard in 1938. After a three-year enlistment, he transferred to the regular Army Horse Cavalry 8th Regiment, First Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1942.The four regiments at Ft. Bliss rotated the Mexican border three months at a time to relieve one another and to reinforce the Texas Rangers. The unit was dismounted from horses and shipped to Australia under combat conditions in 1943. Leonard and his unit engaged in battle in three campaigns: New Guinea, Admiralty Islands and the Philippians. Leonard was subsequently wounded in action and evacuated from battle. After a lengthy hospitalization, he waived his total disability and rejoined the 164th Infantry of the N.D. Guard, which he helped to reorganize.

He was discharged in 1950 as a master sergeant. For service to his country, Leonard Berce was awarded the Purple Heart medal. Other combat awards included the Combat Infantry badge, the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Good Conduct medal, Unit Citation ribbon and the Distinguished Unit badge in 1944. After recovering from combat related injuries, Leonard rejoined the 164th Infantry North Dakota National Guard from 1947-1951.

In 1953, he married Dorothy Monson, Williston. Together Dorothy and Leonard had four children. He started at Lane Wells Oil Company and worked for various companies in this field until 1986 when he retired. Leonard loved life and focused on his family. His other interests and hobbies included gardening, holiday meals, history, Model A cars, post Civil-War memorabilia and various activities with the 6th Infantry. He helped to organize and became a charter member of the 6th Infantry Regiment in 1962, the oldest re-enactment group in North Dakota of date. Leonard was the only survivor of the co-founders, and the only active member of the regiment’s 31 charter members. He was a primary force in the reconstruction of the infantry barracks at the site. He has participated in 45 years of special events at Fort Buford. These living history events have educated tens of thousands of Fort Buford visitors.

An active community member, he was involved in various groups including American Legion lifetime member, I.O.O.F. Lodge, Disabled American Veterans, 164th Infantry Association, Gen. Miles Marching and Chowder Society, NorthStar Caviar board member since 1993, active charter member of Gloria Dei Church, Friends of Fort Union, 6th Infantry Association. Lifetime awards include grand marshal for the North Dakota State Fair in 2004 and the Prestigious Excellence in Local History award from the State Historical Society of North Dakota in 2007.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and his brother. Survivors include Lisa (Berce) Simon, Cynthia (Mike) Skorick, Sheri (Tom) Nester, Bradford Berce and Tasha (Kyle) Frisinger. He has six grandchildren, John Skorick, Tressie Brazil, Lauren Nester, Brandon Berce, Jade Nester and Hunter Berce and five great-grandchildren, Molly Frisinger, Kole Frisinger, Brenden Brazil, Gabriel Brazil and Aiden Brazil.

Friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences with the family online at www.fulkersons.com.