Leonard Wolfgram

Leonard L. Wolfgram, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at his home on a farm outside Niagara, ND.  Leonard was born on February 22, 1932 in Niagara, ND, the son of Herman and Ella (Schmidt) Wolfgram.  He grew up in Niagara and joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1950.  After an honorable discharge due to knee problems, he eventually had knee surgery at Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, where he fell in love with his nurse who later became his wife.  He was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Bigwood on June 7, 1958, in St. Thomas, ND.   Leonard came back to the farm where he continued his lifelong passion of farming.  He farmed until he was 85 years old.  He was a lifelong active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Niagara, where he served in various capacities and taught Sunday School and served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years.  He and his brother and 2 other members of the congregation sang in a men’s quartet for many years.  He was well respected in the community and served many years on the Tri-County Water Board, and several Elevator Boards.  Leonard was also a member of the Petersburg American Legion. He was also a recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer award in the 1960’s.  Leonard had a strong faith in God and walked his talk and is now in the arms of his Savior, Jesus.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty; daughters, Jennifer (Lester) Flem, Grand Rapids, MN; Amy Gibbins, Fargo, ND; Carol Niemann, Crystal, MN; Heidi (Bob) Crowley, Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Brian Flem, Jeremy (Rosa) Flem, Christopher (Juanita) Flem, Tony (Laura) Schanilec, Alex (Renae) Schanilec, Matt Schanilec, Derrick (Mary) Niemann, Josh Niemann, Jacob (Ali) Goetz, Mariana Goetz, Elizabeth Goetz, and Katie Goetz, step-grandchildren, Mikayla and Adam Crowley, and 6 great grandchildren; sisters, Corrine Kroonblawd and Claudia Wolfgram; brothers, Lawrence, Wesley (Emmy); sisters-in-law, Harriet Wolfgram and Mavis Peterson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ella Wolfgram, brothers Theodore, Harold, and Ron.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, November 15, 2021 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Niagara, ND.  Visitation will be held at Bakke Funeral Home, Larimore, ND on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm; and 1 hour prior to the funeral service in the church Monday.  Interment will be in St. Andrew Lutheran Cemetery, rural Niagara.  Military honors will be accorded by the John Larson Post No. 247 of the Petersburg American Legion.