Leslie Hoelzel, age 91, of 18771 390th Ave., Hitchcock, SD, died on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at his home in Hitchcock with his family present.

His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday October 23, at the United Methodist Church in Hitchcock with burial at the Altoona Cemetery, rural Hitchcock.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 22, from 2-8 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home with the family present from 6-8 p.m.; and one hour prior to the service at the church, Thursday morning.

Leslie Hoelzel, the son of Leberecht E.  and Barbara (Heinemann) Hoelzel was born on  January 27, 1917 in Bemidji, MN. He attended schools in the Hitchcock area.

Leslie married Elinor West on February 21,1955 in Redfield, SD. Leslie worked as a farmer for many years.

Leslie enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, farming, gardening, and spending time with his family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Tom (Nancy) Hoelzel, Hitchcock, SD; two daughters, Barbara (Bill) Stiman, Provo, Utah, and Cathie (Steve) Eidahl, Humboldt, SD; four grandchildren, Jennifer Schley, Boston, MA, and Victor, Nicholas, and Amanda Hoelzel, Hitchcock, SD.

Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elinor in 1995; five brothers: Willie, Melvin, Harry, Carl, and John Hoelzel; and one sister, Esther Person.