Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Douglas County > Corsica > Graceland Cemetery > Leon Dean Biesheuvel

Leon Dean Biesheuvel

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Birth	:	4 May 1931 Corsica, Douglas County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	7 Oct 1952 North Korea
Burial	:	Graceland Cemetery, Corsica, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.4277992, -98.4000015
Description	:	Leon Dean Biesheuvel was born on May 4, 1931, the only son of Dick and Florence (Ruesink) Biesheuvel in Corsica, Douglas County, South Dakota. Leon attended Douglas County rural elementary schools. Leon farmed with his father prior to entering the service. One memory of Leon is that he had a "cool car with fender skirts, sun-visor, and a very long antenna with a raccoon tail on top." Private First Class Biesheuvel was drafted into the army in 1951. He was trained at Fort Riley. He was then sent overseas to Korea in July of 1952 as part of the 108th... Read More	Leon Dean Biesheuvel was born on May 4, 1931, the only son of Dick and Florence (Ruesink) Biesheuvel in Corsica, Douglas County, South Dakota. Leon attended Douglas County rural elementary schools. Leon farmed with his father prior to entering the service. One memory of Leon is that he had a "cool car with fender skirts, sun-visor, and a very long antenna with a raccoon tail on top." Private First Class Biesheuvel was drafted into the army in 1951. He was trained at Fort Riley. He was then sent overseas to Korea in July of 1952 as part of the 108th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Private First Class Biesheuvel died on October 7, 1952, in North Korea while fighting the Chinese. He was twenty-one years old. The Corsica Globe reported that Pfc. Biesheuvel had only been on the front lines for about eight days before his death. His remains were returned to Corsica, South Dakota under military escort and laid to rest at the Graceland Cemetery. He received the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, and the United States Service Medal. Right before Leon left for service in Korea, he told his parents that he wanted to make the army his career. When his parents received the word of his death, they decided that he had done just that. Although Leon was the only child of Dick and Florence, they later took in the 13-year-old daughter of Dick's brother, Erwin, when he died. Raising her and mentoring other young families in their community was a source of comfort for them after losing their beloved son, Leon. This entry was respectfully submitted by Jessica Gallagher and Katie Heggem, 8th grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, May 21, 2004. Information for this entry was provided by the South Dakota National Guard Museum, Corsica Globe, and Gene and Leola Ligtenberg, Rapid City, cousins of Pfc. Biesheuvel. Profile approval by Gene Ligtenberg.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Leon Dean Biesheuvel's memorial?
Leon Dean Biesheuvel's memorial is located at: Graceland Cemetery, Corsica, Douglas County, USA.
When did Leon Dean Biesheuvel death?
Leon Dean Biesheuvel death on 7 Oct 1952 in North Korea
Where are the coordinates of the Leon Dean Biesheuvel's memorial?
Latitude: 43.4277992
Longitude: -98.4000015

Family Members:

Parent

Richard “Dick” Biesheuvel

(1909 - 1974)

Florence Ruesink Biesheuvel

(1909 - 1973)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Graceland Cemetery
Corsica, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4277992, -98.4000015

2. Grandview Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3964005, -98.3538971

3. Old Ebenezer Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4063988, -98.3107986

4. Blooming Valley Church Cemetery
Corsica, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4775100, -98.3122300

5. Harrison Cemetery
Harrison, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4417000, -98.5278015

6. Ebenezer Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4846992, -98.5250015

7. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
Armour, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3250008, -98.3386002

8. Saint Peters Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3847008, -98.2514038

9. Aurora Center Cemetery
Aurora Center, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5236015, -98.5017471

10. Roberts Chapel Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4127998, -98.2225037

11. Old Saint Paul Cemetery
Stickney, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5569000, -98.4796982

12. New Holland Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4207993, -98.5986023

13. German Reform Cemetery
Charles Mix County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2860985, -98.4610977

14. Saint John Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4693985, -98.2027969

15. Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery
Stickney, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5705986, -98.4816971

16. Silver Ridge Cemetery
Stickney, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5861015, -98.4210968

17. Church of God Cemetery
Davison County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5259900, -98.2227400

18. Quaker Cemetery
Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5271988, -98.5796967

19. Aurora Center Cemetery
Aurora Center, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5267400, -98.5813950

20. Saint Mary Cemetery
Stickney, Aurora County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5932999, -98.4250031

21. Saint Pauls Lutheran Cemetery
Charles Mix County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2861700, -98.5256300

22. Union Cemetery
Davison County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5896988, -98.3047028

23. Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Delmont, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3331200, -98.1885800

24. Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery
Hillside, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4700012, -98.1500015