CHARLES J. LEONARD JR.

Charles J. “Chuck” Leonard Jr., 48 of rural Devils Lake, ND died on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. Funeral Services for Chuck will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and visitation on Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Paul Bearers for Chuck will be Jesse Roed, David Brown, Roy Kenner, Ron Leonard, Kevin Sorby and Tom Mikelson. Charles John, son of Charles and Jeannette (Anderson) Leonard Sr. was born on February 24, 1964 at Durand, Michigan. As a young child, the family moved to Fisher, MN and then the McVille, ND area where Chuck grew up and attended McVille Public School. Chuck continued his education at Northwest Technical College, East Grand Forks, MN, becoming certified as an over-the-road truck driver. He worked for several years as a truck driver for Wylie’s Trucking and Northern Pipe Products out of Fargo, before he bought his own truck. Chuck was united in marriage to his soul mate, Karen Kenner, for the past 26 years. They wed on December 6, 1986 at West Fargo, ND. They lived with their three children in West Fargo for five years before moving and buying a farm in Lidgerwood, ND. They lived there for five years. He leased on to PJ’s Trucking of West Fargo, ND. They then moved one more time to rural Devils Lake and made this there home through the years. Chuck took a break from trucking and worked on the farm for Roy Kenner and later worked with Duane Armstrong on construction projects. As owner and operator of Leonard Trucking, he was back on the road, doing what he loved. For the past several years, Chuck leased his services to A&H Transfer out of Valley City. When Chuck wasn’t on the road, he had a passion for the outdoors. He loved snowmobiling with family and friends and Bow hunting out West for antelope, up North for bear. He was so looking forward to Boar hunting in Texas later this month. He loved horseback riding, fishing and camping with the horses. These pastimes were frequently combined into a vacation with family or just a special time together for him and Karen at Twisted Oaks, their favorite spot. Chuck was always willing to teach and encourage others in hunting, fishing and just being a good sportsman. If Chuck was your friend, he was the best friend you could ever have. He worked hard to provide for his family and loved them and was proud of each and every one of them. We love you dearly and will miss you so much. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Michael Leonard and Angie Anderson; daughter, Jennifer Leonard and Jesse Roed all of Devils Lake; daughter Alicia Gautreau and Phill Reed of West Warwick, RI; father, Charles Leonard Sr. of Crookston, MN; brother, Ron and Elis Leonard of Monroe, NC; grandchildren, Lottie, Taylor, Drevon and Mikayla; nephews, Zachary and Matthew; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Chuck was preceded in death by his mother, Jeannette West.