Pastor Leon Freitag

Pastor Leon Freitag, 72, Bismarck, died Sept. 1, 2018, at his home, with his family at his side. Celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at Evangel Church, 3225 N 14th St, Bismarck, with a lunch to follow. Committal service will be held from 1:30 to 2 p.m., at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. There will be a public viewing from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, at Evangel, with a prayer service/sharing beginning at 6 p.m. 

Leon David Freitag was born to Marlin and Esther (Moor) Freitag on July 6, 1946, in Dickinson. He was raised on a farm northeast of Bowman and attended rural Buffalo school for his elementary education. He graduated from Bowman Public High School in 1964 and then attended and graduated from Trinity Bible College and Central Bible College of Springfield, Mo., with a B.A. Degree in Biblical Studies along with post-graduate work.

Leon accepted Jesus into his life as his personal savior at a young age and walked with the Lord throughout his entire life. There was never a thought of drawing back; he kept pressing forward and upward to his reward. He lived his life with no reserves in his commitment to the Lord and His work.

He became a licensed Minister in the spring of 1967 and was ordained with the General Council of the Assemblies of God in 1970.

He married his college sweetheart, Dianne (Iverson) Freitag, daughter of The Rev. Wesley and Eileen Iverson on Sept. 16, 1966, in Canton, S.D., and to this union two sons were born, Todd (Lindsey) Freitag, Bismarck, and Craig Freitag, Gilroy, Calif. They have 13 grandchildren, Jordan, Brittani, Jesse, McKenzie, Sonita, Kyla Jo, Savanna, Max, Christian, Gianna, Petra, Kredan, Austin and a great-granddaughter, Liberty Grace.

Leon and Dianne spent all but four years of their ministry in North Dakota. One of his great honors was to come back to pastor his home church for 19 years. Leon was a designer, and builder throughout his ministry. Many Churches, parsonages and camp facilities are a testament to his building skills. He was a visionary leader who helped the North Dakota District plant churches across the state.

He was a servant leader who felt that he was never above doing anything to help his parishioners, ministers, and churches in the District. Along with his wife Dianne many hours were spent beyond the call of duty to be a blessing to others when the need arose.

He was a man who prized integrity and hard work. He practiced it in his own life challenging others to follow his example. "You have only given enough when it costs you something whether it is time, money or energy." He chose to look at life as a glass half full not half empty because God's blessings are abundant to those who give God everything.

He served 28 years in pastorates of Powers Lake, Rhame and Bowman. He also served the North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God as a district presbyter for 12 years, Southwest section, district secretary/treasurer for 10 years, and district superintendent for 18 years.

He served on a number of boards over the years, state and regional boards, Trinity Bible College for 20 years, North Central Bible College for 17 years, Eckert Foundation for Children for 16 years, North Dakota Teen Challenge for 11 years, and Affect Eternity Ministry for 6 years, National Boards, General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God for 27 years, A/G Alliance for Higher Education for eight years, and A/G US Missions Board for six years.

He leaves behind his wife, Dianne; two sons, Todd and Craig; 13 grandkids; one great-granddaughter; and his mother, Esther Freitag.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Max and Anna (Hoth) Freitag; maternal grandparents, John and Adelheid (Teska) Moor; his father, Marlin W. Freitag; and sister, Carol Ann (Freitag) Biffert.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to North Dakota Adult and Teen Challenge at www.tc4hope.org.

The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation for all the medical staff, hospice, prayers and correspondence given to our family.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Leon and sign the online guest book. (Eastgate/Parkway Funeral Services, Bismarck)