Leslie Carl Manstrom

Leslie Carl Manstrom, 78, Valley City, North Dakota passed away April 21, 2023 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota with his daughter by his side. A private family service will be held at the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. Burial will be in Memory Gardens later in the spring. Les was born November 12, 1944 in Valley City to Clifford and Louise (Piller) Manstrom. He grew up on the family farm south of Valley City and attended grade school at Brown country school. Les graduated from Valley City High School in 1962. Right out of high school, Les briefly worked as an inspector of North Dakota missile sites before enrolling at the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. Les started out in architectural drafting and then transitioned to electrical technology. He graduated as a lineman and soon began working for Cass County Electric. Les joined the North Dakota National Guard but his service was cut short and he received a medical discharge. Farming was in Les’ blood and while working as a lineman he started a little farming on the side. His love of the land pulled him into making it a full-time profession and Les bought a farm within three miles of his childhood home. Les was not alone in these endeavors he was tackling. Les married the love of his life, Elaine Lockwood, in 1967. Together, Les and Elaine grew their farm and raised beef cattle for many years. In the late 1990’s Les gave up livestock as it was becoming more difficult for the one man show to tend cattle and work his expanding land. Les’ passion in life was farming and it showed in many ways. He took pride in having “clean” weed free fields. He never had any “skips” in his wheat fields and would touch up potholes as quickly as possible. Les took excellent care of his farm equipment and very few were trusted enough to sit behind the wheel of his tractors. In fact, Les never allowed his only child, daughter Bethany, to drive a tractor, ever… and she drove too fast to drive truck. Les did entrust lawn care to her and she was a dependable gopher and lunch maker. Les was a special man. Considering he wasn’t very worldly he could talk to anybody. He was kind, generous, fair and always respectful to everyone he met. Les had a deep love of family and was devoted to his mother as she aged and to Elaine when her health began to fail. Les has always had a special bond with his younger sister, Cindy, the baby of the family. Les was very proud of his daughter and loved her and his grandsons deeply. He never wanted to leave the farm and hated to need assistance from others. In the end he didn’t have to do either. Les is survived by his daughter Bethany (Kendall) Harms, grandsons Seth Fontaine and Owen Harms, bonus grandsons Ben and Jacob Harms, all of Grand Forks, ND. He is also survived by a brother Bruce Manstrom, Colorado Springs, CO; a sister Cindy (Kevin) Roorda, Marion, ND; and nephews Taylor Roorda, Jamison Roorda and Nick Manstrom. Les was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, his parents, in-laws Harold and Liz Lockwood, grandparents and many aunts and uncles. Memorials may be designated to the Anne Carlsen Center or to Farm Rescue. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com

Leslie Carl Manstrom

November 12, 1944 - April 21, 2023