Leonard Bruckner

Leonard Bruckner, 83, of Aberdeen, passed away Monday, March 7, 2016, at his home.

Mass of Christian burial will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Melvin Kuhn as Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Aberdeen.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at the mortuary followed by a liturgical wake service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour prior to Mass at church on Saturday.

Leonard Bruckner was born December 14, 1932, to Steven B. and Gertrude (Kosters) Bruckner in Selby, SD. At a young age, Leonard's family moved to the Ipswich, SD area where he was raised and attended school.

In March of 1953, Leonard joined the United States Army and served his country until March of 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Leonard then moved back to the Ipswich area where he farmed with his brothers.

Leonard was united in marriage to Evelyn Mae Lickfelt on March 5, 1957, in Seattle, WA. The couple made Seattle their home where Leonard worked for Boeing Aircraft Company. In 1964, the family moved back to the Ipswich area and began farming. They remained on the farm until 1976, when they moved to Aberdeen. Leonard then began working as a groundskeeper for Sunset Memorial Gardens cemetery. He was employed there for several years until he semi-retired. Leonard went on to work for Jim Lickfelt and remained with him for several years. Leonard and Evelyn shared over 59 years of marriage and raised six children before she passed away in October of 2014. Leonard continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death.

Grateful to have shared in Leonard's life are his children: David (Patricia) Bruckner of Bath, SD, Dale (Brenda) Bruckner of Aberdeen, Doug (Julie) Bruckner of Wessington Springs, SD, Daniel Bruckner of Aberdeen, Sandy Bruckner of Aberdeen and Laurie (Dale) Furby of Sioux Falls, SD; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers: Tony (Marcine) Bruckner of Conde, SD, LaVerne Bruckner of Bath, SD, and Steve (Janet) Bruckner of Pine Bluff, WY; and five sisters: Mary Ann Clausen of Overland Park, KS, Margaret Cooley of Santa Barbara, CA, Elizabeth "Betty" Stewart of San Diego, CA, Ardell (John) Albertson of Costa Mesa, CA, and Florence Whipple of Susanville, CA.

Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents, Steven and Gertrude; and three brothers: Freddie, Joe, and Frank Bruckner.