Memorial service for Judge Berndt will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 , at Family Worship Center, 1708 West Grand Crossing, Mobridge, SD. Judge Berndt passed away Wednesday, October 9th at Mobridge Regional Hospital. His interment will follow in the summer of 2020 at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. Arrangements entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home.

Leland Jacob Berndt was born on September 25, 1928 , on a farm seven miles east of Herreid in Campbell County, SD, to Adam J. and Eva (Schmidt) Berndt. He was the sixth of seven children.

Leland (Lee) attended grade school in a rural, one-room school in Campbell County and graduated from Herreid High School as class valedictorian in 1946. He then taught in that same rural grade school for one year. During the winter days, he spoke of arriving at the school to build a fire in the stove that was in the center of the classroom so it would be warm by the time the students arrived.

After teaching for one year, he took two years of pre-law at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD (now known as Northern State University). He then transferred to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he graduated with a BA in history and government and also a Doctorate of Law degree (JD) in January, 1953.

On March 7, 1953, he married Della Schneider, daughter of the late William and Emma (Werre) Schneider, of Java, SD. He then enlisted in the US Navy and was accepted in the Officer's Candidate School, graduating as a legal specialist from the School of Military Justice. He attended the Judge Advocates College at Newport, Rhode Island, to study Naval laws and procedures. He then served at various duty stations as a Legal Officer.

After completion of his service in the US Navy in the fall of 1956, he served for one year as County Judge in Faulk County, and then moved to Mobridge in the fall of 1957 with his wife and their first three boys. He joined Ervin E. Dupper Law Office, and together they formed the Law Firm of Dupper and Berndt. During this time, Leland also served four years as Walworth County State's Attorney. He also continued serving in the US Naval Reserves until October 1970, where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (LT).

Leland was elected and served as 12th District County Judge from January 1, 1969 to January 1, 1975, serving the five counties of Campbell, Edmunds, McPherson, Potter, and Walworth. He was then elected to the office of 5th Circuit Court Judge, serving nine counties from January 7, 1975 to January 1, 1993. In January 1993, he retired from his judicial career in which he served for 25 years.

He was very involved in his community. In the past, Leland had served on the board of directors for the Mobridge Community Hospital, Boy Scout Council, Commander of Parker-Browder American Legion, Post #4, America Legion State Judge Advocate and District Americanism Officer, President of the Oahe Sportsman's Club, President of The South Dakota Judges Association. He was also a charter member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, had participated in Jaycees, Rotary Club, as well as other community activities and organizations.

Leland loved Mobridge and enjoyed raising his family here. Leland and Della raised eight children—six boys and two girls: Mark, Neil, Paul, Bruce, Craig, Randy, Leann, and Laura. When he was not working, he spent his time with his family. He enjoyed attending his children's school functions and taking them camping, fishing, and hunting. Once retired, he exchanged his gavel for a fishing rod! He enjoyed fishing with his friends.

Leland is survived by his wife Della of 66 plus years, eight children: Mark (Maria) of Auburn, WA; Neil (Botan) of Cedar City, UT; Paul (Janice) of Kansas City, MO; Bruce of Mobridge, SD; Craig of Mobridge, SD; Randy of West Lafayette, IN; Leann (Randy Teigen) of Hannibal, MO; and Laura (Jesse Gunther) of Mobridge, SD; 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; his youngest brother Lauren of Herreid, SD; sister-in-law, Verna (husband was Clinton) of Bismarck, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Adam (1963) and mother Eva (1975); brother Clinton (2006) of Bismarck, ND; sister, Iva (2000 ) and husband, Dan Orth (1996) of Herreid SD; sister, Sena (2004) and husband, Godfred Bauer (1989) of Mound City, SD; sister, Eunice (2008) and husband, John Leno (1980); brother, Harold (2008) and wife, Emma (2019) of Herreid, SD; sister-in-law, Violet (2018) of Herreid, SD; and nephew, Carter Bauer (2011) of Mound City, SD.

Any memories you would like to share of Leland are comforting and welcome. Please email his daughter Laura at Ljberndt@westriv.com or text Laura at 605-848-2723, or mail a note to his wife, Della Berndt, at 1008 4th Ave. West, Mobridge, SD 57601.

Please join the family in celebrating his life on Saturday, November 2 ^nd at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in memory of Judge Leland Berndt to the Mobridge Senior Citizens Center for their new bus. They still need to raise another $10,000. The Senior Bus is a needed service in our community and is a huge blessing. Thank you.