Funeral services for Leif Arthur Tjelde, 84, Cartwright, N.D., were at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview with Pastor Cal Oraw officiating. Music was provided by Ellen Croy and Warren Johnson.

Casketbearers were Carrie Faulhaber, Sarah Tjelde, Tyler Tjelde, Jenna Tjelde, Virginia Faulkner, Carol Faulkner, Jamie Tjelde, Justin Tjelde, Blake Renville and Sierra Renville. Honorary casketbearers were Ray Papineau, George Lindecker, August Lindecker and Severt Sponheim. Ushers were Arthur Paulson and Donald Croy.

Interment took place in the Tjelde Cemetery, Cartwright, N.D., under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make donations to your local area food bank. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com. Leif was born on July 29, 1925, in a prairie home near Cartwright, the son of Jorgan and Hilda (Knudsen) Tjelde. He grew up and attended school in Cartwright.

Leif enlisted in the Army in 1944. He took basic training at Fort Snelling; from there he went to Camp Fannin, Texas, for paratroop training. Fifteen days after he left the state, he was a ground force rifleman on the front lines at Normandy. When the war in Germany ended, he was a guard at the Nuremburg Trials. Following his honorable discharge he went to Libby with his friend Jess Croy. He enjoyed the mountains and became a lumberjack. During the summer, he returned home to Cartwright to plant the crop for his parents.

In the fall he returned to Libby where he met Carol Kujawa, and they were married March 21, 1951. They moved to the Cartwright area to continue farming and ranching.

Leif enjoyed his friends and family. He enjoyed hunting with Carol and family. He cherished their trips to the mountains of Montana, especially to the Bob Marshall Wilderness and to the Alaskan Wilderness. Leif always had a soft heart for animals. He made sure the cats at the barn had fresh milk every day and the German Shepherd dog had a warm place on the rug in front of the heater on the porch. Leif enjoyed traveling with Carol by car or motor home. When it became difficult for him to travel they bought a home by Lake Sakakawea. They enjoyed sitting and watching the activity on the lake.

Leif died on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care facility surrounded by his family.

Leif is survived by: his wife, Carol, of 59 years, Cartwright, N.D.; sons Paul (Patti) Tjelde, Sidney, Dale (Elaine) Tjelde, Cartwright, N.D., Lee (LaShell) Tjelde, Cartwright, N.D.; daughters Carla (Dave) Faulkner, Minot, N.D., and Ann (Henry) Renville, Trenton, N.D.; 10 grandchildren; two great--grandchildren; a brother Alf Tjelde, Tacoma, Wash.; two sisters Clarice Johnsrud and Janette Tjelde, both of Williston, N.D.

Leif was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.