Leroy "Pete" Wasland

LeRoy "Pete" Wasland, age 80, formerly of Watertown, died Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024 at the Lake Norden Care Center.

Visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Furness Funeral Home of Clark from 5:00-7:00 pm and one hour prior to the service.  Funeral service will be Tuesday morning, April 23, 2024 at Calvary Lutheran Church of Wallace at 11:00 am with Pastor Andrew Sheldon and Pastor Cecil Martinez officiating. Burial will be at Telemarken Cemetery of Wallace with a lunch to follow back at the church. The funeral will be livestreamed and may be viewed at the time of service on the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page.

LeRoy Clinton Wasland was born February 26, 1944 at Webster to Louis and Marjorie (June) Wasland. He attended school at Wallace and graduated in 1962. After graduation, LeRoy remained and worked on the family farm. On July 11, 1964, LeRoy married Betty Ann Dunlavy. They farmed on the Wasland family farm southwest of Wallace and southeast of Bradley where they milked cows, raised sheep and grew various crops. He attended school at DSU in Madison obtaining his BA degree. After graduation, LeRoy taught high school social science and coached boys basketball and girls track in Wallace, NE. In 1972, they moved back to the family farm. In 1986, they sold the cattle and moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where LeRoy attended Bible College and became an ordained minister in 1989. They moved back to Bradley, SD, and then into Watertown in 1990. LeRoy and Betty started the Neighborhood Church of Watertown and pastored there for eight years. Through the church, they were involved with the Little Feet Day Care. In 2004, they sold the farm and LeRoy started Wasland Auto. In 2006, LeRoy and Betty both retired but LeRoy continued to be a guest minister for several years and he could always be found helping anyone he came across. He didn't believe anyone was a stranger.

LeRoy is survived by his son William "Bill" (Cheryl) Wasland and daughter Penny (Cecil) Martinez, all of Watertown, and son Lance (Rachelle) Wasland of Bradley, grandchildren, Amanda Martz, Blake Wasland, Aleigha VanderPoel, Christian Kaaz, Justin Wasland, Jennifer Sheldon, Joshua Martinez, Rebecca Sims and Emma Trautman, and eleven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister June (Carlton) Whetsel, sisters-in-law Jane (Dennis) Zinda of Big Lake, MN, Catherine Ragels of Conde, Kim (Kenny) Lewis of Gresham, OR, brothers-in-law Darrel (Pam) Dunlavy of Huson, MT, Tom Dunlavy of Claremont, Leo (Denise) Dunlavy of Andover, Jan (Sandie) Dunlavy of Mulvane, KS and Fred McDonald of Missoula, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty of 57 years, his parents, his step-father Arnie Peterson, brother David Wasland, sister Beatrice Ann Wasland, brothers-in-law Dale and Bob Dunlavy, LaVoy Ragels, David Peterson, Norm Ragels, and sisters-in-law Helen Ragels, Carol Peterson, Bonnie McDonald and Merlene Dunlavy, niece Debbie Wasland and nephew Brandy Dunlavy.

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .