Bernice A Leingang

Bernice A Leingang, age 79, from Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully in her care home on Thursday, May 16, 2024, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 4th, 2024, 10:00 am at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 141 North Macdonald, Mesa. Interment will be held at City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street following church service.
Bernice was born on March 31,1945 in Bluegrass, near New Salem, ND. She is the daughter of William and Hilma (Stauss) Bethke. She was raised and attended school in Bluegrass then later she and her family moved to Mandan, ND where they settled and made their home. Bernice met the love of her life, Larry Leingang and were married on July 24, 1965, at the age of 20. Together they raised their three children. In 1975, she and Larry bought Kist's Meat Market in downtown Mandan and ran the store for many years until they sold it in 1983. Bernice also worked for the Golden Age Service where she transported the senior citizens in the town and took them to their appointments and shopping. She developed very close relationships with them and the seniors adored her very much. In 1994, they decided to pack up their belongings and move to Mesa, AZ to be closer to their children. In Arizona, Bernice accepted a position with a moving company that helped folks unpack and organize their homes. After that, she started her own business called Busy B's Cleaning Service and worked there until she retired. Some of Bernice's favorite hobbies included painting. For those of you who knew Bernice, she always had a paintbrush in her hand. She had an artistic touch and was very creative. She was great at it, no matter what she painted. She also loved to go camping, boating, fishing, working in her yard planting flowers and decorating her lovely home, which she took great pride in. She loved being around family and friends, having grill outs, swimming in her pool and going dancing with friends. She definitely had the love for music, especially being married to a drummer. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.
Bernice leaves behind 2 daughters and 2 son-in-laws, Lanette (George) Schnellbach, Mesa, AZ; Brenda (Michael) Gefroh, Scottsdale, AZ; 4 grandchildren, Tracine (Blake) Umber, Phoenix, AZ; Corey Gefroh ( Asha Fuller), both from Flagstaff, AZ; Brad Schnellbach (fiancé MacKenzie Roberts), Mesa, AZ and Nicole Schnellbach, Mesa, AZ; 3 great grandchildren, Bryce and Madison Umber; Oberlyn Schnellbach; and one brother and sister-in-law, Ron (Mary) Bethke, Mandan, ND and one sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette (Duane) Donahue, Little Falls, MN.
Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Leingang; both parents William and Hilma Bethke; son Brian Leingang; sister and brother-in-law, Elaine (Tony) Paul; sister Dorothy Nelson; two brothers Myron and Gerald Bethke; and Caden Leingang.
Please join us in celebrating Bernice's life on October 4th, 2024.