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Leonard Bettcher

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Birth	:	20 Jan 1925 Carter, Tripp County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	21 Jun 2019 Yankton, Yankton County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.3689003, -103.4753036
Plot	:	K_1009
Inscription	:	TEC 5 US ARMY WORLD WAR II
Description	:	Leonard Bettcher, 94, of Winner, SD passed away with family by his side on June 21, 2019 at Avera Majestic Bluffs Care Center in Yankton, SD. The funeral was held on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed at the Black Hills National Cemetery, located east of Sturgis, SD, at 2:30 p.m. (MT). Leonard was born on Jan. 20, 1925 to August and Christina Bettcher. He was the 6th born out of 7 children in a wagon on the way to the doctor’s office in Carter, SD. He attended... Read More	Leonard Bettcher, 94, of Winner, SD passed away with family by his side on June 21, 2019 at Avera Majestic Bluffs Care Center in Yankton, SD. The funeral was held on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed at the Black Hills National Cemetery, located east of Sturgis, SD, at 2:30 p.m. (MT). Leonard was born on Jan. 20, 1925 to August and Christina Bettcher. He was the 6th born out of 7 children in a wagon on the way to the doctor’s office in Carter, SD. He attended The South Crystal Springs school south of Carter. At the age of 11, in 1936, the family moved to the Dallas area, where he finished grade school. He ended up receiving his diploma from Gregory High School. In 1950, moved to a farm with two of his brothers, Richard and Verloyn, and parents, which was located half a mile north of Jordan Corner. His brother Richard and Leonard engaged in farming together at this time. Around 1955, he attended school in Pueblo, Colo., to learn telegraphy and the morse code. Then, went to Iowa and worked for the railroad as a telegrapher for a short time. He loved to hear train whistles blow. In 1958-59, he worked for the Winner Police Force as a police officer. Also, in 1960-61, he worked with the Winner Post Office as a mail carrier but due to his military injury was unable to stay with this position. While pursuing these other occupations, he still continued to farm with his brother, Richard, and retired from farming in the early 1980s. He married Ruby (Van Matre) Heinzman July 3, 1965. To this union, two children were born, three step-children. They lived on a farm ½ mile north of Jordan Corner and later two miles west of Winner. Divorced in June 1977. Leonard was a proud member of WWII and was part of Co B 72 Military Police Co. At the age of 17, he was drafted and entered into the service at Fort Snelling, MN on July 27, 1944. To start his journey, Allen, his brother, drove him to the railroad depot in Gregory, SD where they said their goodbyes. He was well on his way to the service at Fort Snelling, MN where he picked up his military belongings. Later, boarded a train and headed to Campwalders, TX where he completed seventeen weeks of basic training. Then, shipped overseas to EIO Eastern Theater Marse France. From there, right straight to the frontline. While fighting up at the frontline, motor shells were coming in and upon these exploding, shrapnel hit his left foot, which caused him to fall down. As he was being taken away on a stretcher, more shells came in, blowing the stretcher and him off the jeep and knocking him out, later waking up at the Aide Station. After being treated at the Aide Station, he was put on an ambulance and taken to the 403rd hospital, where quite a bit of time was spent, later returning home. He was honorably discharged June 22, 1946 at Camp McCoy, Wis. and is a recipient of the Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Germany), Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal, and Bronze Star Medal. He often told his family about his time fighting in WWII. This particular memory was very meaningful to him. When fighting at the frontline, he opened up a small Bible that was given to the soldiers. When this Bible was opened, it was opened to Psalm 23. As he described as the darkest of nights, a light shined down upon this Bible, making it possible for him to read this Psalm and giving him comfort. God was a very important part of his life. Leonard was a big influence on his children and grand-children, as he always encouraged them to be in God’s word and go to church. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW and also enjoyed helping serve lunch at the American Legion on Labor Day in Winner. He had a love for gardening and had a garden every year, until age 91. Local farmers would stop by and enjoy fruits and vegetables out of his garden. Every year, Leonard would put up many jars of canned pickles using his own recipe. His family and Leonard always enjoyed this time of the year as they got to enjoy buttered bread with a pickle inside, so good! He was proud of his pickles and shared many with friends and family. Some of the things Leonard loved were: attending church on Sunday, taking drives, vacationing (favorite spot being Mount Rushmore and seeing the faces), the state of Arizona and always wanting to reside there, coloring Easter eggs and never felt too old for this, eat out, go for coffee, sit outside under the shade tree and eat muskmelon and watermelon, flying the American flag on the farm, picnicking at the Valentine City Park, parades, camping, fishing and lending a helping hand. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his children, grand-daughters (he was always so proud of all their accomplishments) and a very special companion, Princess (his dog). Leonard is preceded in death by his parents August and Christina Bettcher; 2 sisters Ida (Frank) Vedral and Martha (Sam) Hauff; 3 brothers Allen (Ruth), Alfred (Frieda) and Richard (Teresa). He is survived by his son and daughter,3 step-children,his brother,4 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and lots of friends.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Leonard Bettcher's memorial?
Leonard Bettcher's memorial is located at: Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA.
When did Leonard Bettcher death?
Leonard Bettcher death on 21 Jun 2019 in Yankton, Yankton County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Leonard Bettcher's memorial?
Latitude: 44.3689003
Longitude: -103.4753036

Family Members:

Parent

August Bettcher

(1886 - 1973)

Christinia Elizabeth Kershman Bettcher

(1895 - 1979)

Siblings

Edith Vedral

(1914 - 1998)

Allen M Bettcher

(1920 - 2001)

Richard Bettcher

(1922 - 2007)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3689003, -103.4753036

2. Curley Grimes Memorial Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3764500, -103.4691300

3. Fort Meade National Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4021988, -103.4757996

4. Bear Butte Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4111595, -103.4947968

5. Saint Aloysius Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.4141340, -103.5193420

6. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Tilford, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3192500, -103.3531160

7. Galena Cemetery
Galena, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3349220, -103.6438410

8. Crook City Cemetery
Crook City, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4432100, -103.6241500

9. Piedmont Cemetery
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Coordinate: 44.2425780, -103.3871730

10. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3891983, -103.6766968

11. Whitewood Cemetery
Whitewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4617820, -103.6330030

12. Roubaix Cemetery
Roubaix, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2789380, -103.6656600

13. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3760986, -103.7253036

14. Saint Ambrose Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3821983, -103.7266998

15. Nemo Cemetery
Nemo, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1872800, -103.5066410

16. Anderson Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4747009, -103.6896973

17. South Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3478510, -103.7606260

18. Little Dane Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5252500, -103.6705540

19. Mountain Meadow Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2038994, -103.6557999

20. West Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3484001, -103.7779999

21. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5353000, -103.7237000

22. Terry Cemetery
Terry, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3344290, -103.8165110

23. Vale Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6138992, -103.4052963

24. Holy Cross Cemetery
Englewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2818985, -103.8047028