Gehard “Bud” Leland, 93, of Bricelyn died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Parkview Care Center in Wells.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn. The Rev. Nancy Dreier officiated. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment wasat Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by Bricelyn American Legion Post No. 165. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, visit www.brussheitner.com.

Gehard M. “Bud” Leland was born Nov. 6, 1923, on the family farm in Brush Creek Township, Faribault County, the son of Gustav and Minnie (Johnson) Leland. He walked a quarter mile to country school and later graduated from Bricelyn High School in 1943.

His father was chairman of the country school board and hired a young, energetic teacher, Mavis L. Knutson. Bud decided to meet this teacher and two years later they were united in marriage on April 6, 1952, at the Lutheran church in Frost. To this 64-year union, five children were born. In his younger years, he was well known for his fast-pitch softball pitching prowess, and of late enjoyed reminiscing with former rival team members.

He was proud to be in United States Air Navy as a radioman gunner, 1st Class. After his honorable discharge he came back and farmed the family farm. A special source of pride for Bud was his ability to serve on the Brush Creek Township board for over 50 years. He looked forward to his annual deer hunting trips with his same buddies for over 50 consecutive seasons. Bud enjoyed listening to his family sing and at one performance literally carried his tune in a bucket. He was loved by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was thrilled when they could speak a few words in Norwegian. He was a 60-year member of the Bricelyn American Legion post and a lifelong member of Bricelyn Lutheran Church. Bud enjoyed simple pleasures — fishing, laughing, his wife’s cooking and a William Penn cigar.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings baby girl Leland, Arnold Leland, Stella Flo, Olga Leland and Stanley Leland.

Bud is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mavis Leland, of Bricelyn; five children, Greg (wife, Kathy) Leland, Carter (wife, Yvonne) Leland, Paulette (husband, Kevin) Legred, all of Bricelyn, LuAnn (husband, Tommy) Kraemer of Prior Lake and Jeff (wife, Ann) Leland of Pine Island; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, Kelsey (Christoph) Dundas and family, Adelia, Caleb, Jacob and Emmaline, Michael Leland and Brian Leland, Dan (Tricia) Leland and Bethany (Matt) Schoeneck and family, Karis and Gabriel, Jonathan (Janelle) Leland and family, Heath and Reese and Rebecca Leland, Justin (Amy) Legred and family, Ethan, Brennan and Brinley and Alicia (Nathan) Shutes and family, Henrik, Isaiah, Layla and Ruby, Jessica Kraemer, Mitchell, Garrett and Megan Leland; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Blessed be his memory.