David Leslie Leland
David Leslie Leland, 78, Bricelyn, Minn., passed away Monday, July 8, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea, Minn. A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 11, at 10 a.m. at Bricelyn Lutheran Church with Pastor Nancy Dreier officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today (Wednesday), at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home, Bricelyn, Minnn., and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David was born April 17, 1941 at home in Brush Creek Township, the son of Edgar and Erma (Wacholz) Leland. He was a lifelong member of Bricelyn Lutheran Church and graduated from Bricelyn High School in 1959.
David was united in marriage to Wilma Hockenson on April 2, 1967 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Vinje. To this union, three children were born: Bradley, Douglas, and Kristine.
David was a farmer all of his life. He was very honored that his sons and grandsons are continuing as fourth and fifth generation Leland Family farmers. David and Wilma enjoyed going to antique tractor pulls and shows together. He enjoyed hunting, along with restoring and displaying his antique Farmall tractor collection, and was an active member of Bricelyn AA Club. Family and farming have always been the center of David’s life. Nothing made him happier than attending family events. He was surrounded by his loved ones until the very end. David was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be missed by all. Blessed be his memory.
David is survived by his children: Bradley (Beth) Leland, Bricelyn, Minn.; Douglas (Lisa) Leland, Albert Lea, Min.; and Kristine Songstad, Emmons, Minn.; grandchildren: Seth (Jessica) Holland, Trevor (Emily) Leland, Lexi (Andrew) Scholten, Lizzy Leland (fiancé Logan Bauer), Liam Holland, John and Brandon Leland, Allison (Jacob) Sorensen, Jacob Songstad (special friend Ashley Graham) and Caleb Songstad; great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Simon and Cullen Holland, Norie and Taylin Leland, Callahan and Madden Scholten,; mother Erma Leland, Albert Lea, Minn.; siblings: Dale (Margaret) Leland, Burnsville, Min.; and Barb Leland, Bricelyn, Minn.; sister-in-law Nylene (Ken) Mannes, Lake Mills; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; father, Edgar Leland; and brother-in-law, Virgil (Faye) Hockenson.
