Leslie “Les” Ervin Henningsgard, age 94, resident of Tolna, ND passed away Monday, February 14, 2011 at the Nelson County Health System – Hospital in McVille.

Les was born January 13, 1917 to Peter and Theresa (Schindele) Henningsgard on their farm in the Dutch Point area around Stump Lake, north of Tolna. He lived there until 1926 when the family moved into Tolna. While attending school Les participated in basketball and played the snare drums for the school band. He graduated from Tolna High School in 1935. Les married Esther Halvorson on February 25, 1938. He worked with the W.P.A. on area projects, including the Tolna Dam, in the late 1930s. Other than spending a short time in Seattle, WA, during 1945-46, Les lived in the Tolna area. The family farmstead was bought in the late 1940s and was located near the Tolna Dam which he helped build. Besides raising grains and livestock, for several years in the 1960s, chickens and turkeys were raised on a large scale. Les and Esther had five children. Esther died in March 1971. He married Solveig Bina in 1972. Les enjoyed hunting and fishing. Trips to Lake Sakakawea with his camper, fishing at the Tolna Dam (even ice fishing in his fish house) and Devils Lake provided many days of enjoyment. Enjoyment also came from his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Les became a resident of the Nelson County Health System in 2009. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Tolna.

Les is survived by a son, Tracy (Margie) of New Rockford, ND; two daughters, Jane Brekken of Hillsboro, ND, and Mary (Larry) Askim-Lovseth of Grand Forks, ND; eight grandchildren, Chad Henningsgard and Jill (Daniel) Taylor; Todd and Ross (Lori) Henningsgard; Kristopher (Alana) Brekken; and Kari (Garett) Wiltse; and Michelle (Jason) Durso and Justin (Maren) Askim; 15 great-grandchildren (Madison, McKenna, Mitchel, and Miles Taylor; Brody and Braden Henningsgard; Jessica, Taylor, Kennedy, Kyle, and Carson Henningsgard; Kendall and Sydney Brekken; and Dylan and Blake Durso); two step-grandchildren, Josh (Kelsey) Lovseth and Jennifer (Corey) Stenson, and two step-great-grandchildren, Jack Lovseth and Cayson Stenson, along with generations of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Shirley Daffern of Anchorage, AK, Gladyce Moeller of Vancouver, WA, and Frances Rasmussen of Salem, OR .

Les was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Esther; two sons, Clark and Stuart; son-in-law Dennis Askim; and sister, Pearl .

Funeral services for Les will be Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the American Lutheran Church, Tolna , ND . Visitation will be Friday, February 18, 2011 from 4PM to 7PM with a 7PM family service in the Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home, McVille, ND. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services in the church.  Officiating will be Pastor Russ Christiansen.  Interment will be in the spring at the Tolna Cemetery. Arrangements with the Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home of McVille.