On December 12, 2015, we said our sad good-byes to a great Dad, Grand Dad, Great Grand Dad, Uncle, Friend, Mentor, Navy Seabee, and a well-respected Contractor/Carpenter. He will be missed!
Leland was born on the family farm in Bison, Kansas, the first born and only son, of Benjamin Bisterfeldt and Rosa (Appel) Bisterfeldt. He attended a country school near Rush Center, Kansas. He proudly served his country during World War II as part of the United States Naval Construction Forces, 60th and 9th Battalions, in the Pacific theater, which were also referred to as the, “Seabees,” with a motto of, “Can Do!”
After serving in World War II, Leland returned home to start his own business, Bisterfeldt Construction. For many years, he and his Dad, Benjamin, worked together. Bisterfeldt Construction was responsible for building more than 20 quality custom homes in Rush and Ellis Counties in Kansas, which we are told have admirably stood the test of time.
On November 11, 1946, he literally married the, “girl next door,” Delores (Krause) Bisterfeldt, they were later divorced. He and Delores had three beloved children, Richard Bisterfeldt, Melanie (Bisterfeldt) Schaffer, and Jann Bisterfeldt. He was a life time Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3147, La Crosse, Kansas, holding positions of Post and State Commander during which time he represented the State Of Kansas at numerous National V.F.W. conventions in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. He thoroughly enjoyed being part of 60th Battalion Seabee Reunions from California, to Iowa, and numerous states in between.
His Daughter, Jann, and Grand Daughter, Danielle, even joined him at one of the final one’s he and Delores attended in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Delores (Krause) Bisterfeldt, son, Richard Bisterfeldt, sister, Janeal (Bisterfeldt) Sell, parents, Benjamin Bisterfeldt and Rosa (Appel) Bisterfeldt, Maternal Grand Parents John George and Emma (Scheureman) Appel, Paternal Grand Parents, John Jacob and Dorothea Bisterfeldt.
He is survived by his Daughters, Melanie (and Irvin) Schaffer, Mountain Home, Arkansas and Jann Bisterfeldt (and Michael Suchan), Anaheim Hills, California, his Grand Children, Nathan Schaffer, Nicole Bisterfeldt- (and Aaron) Rainey, Krista (and John) Stopka, and Danielle Bisterfeldt, and his Great Grandchildren, Ashlee Papineau, Amberley Schaffer, Madilynn Rainey, and Miranda Stopka.
Viewing will be at Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, La Crosse, Kansas, on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Funeral services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, Thursday, December 17, 2015, 10:00AM, with burial at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 403 S 13th Street, WaKeeney, Kansas.
Remembrances can be made in his honor to the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum, 1001 Addor Street, Building 100, Port Hueneme, California, 93043, the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (SMSA), P.O. Box 667, Gulf Port, MS 39502, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rush County Post 3147, La Crosse, Kansas. Preferred Florist is Big Creek Floral & Gifts, 1014 Washington St., Ellis, KS 67637; 785-726-3060