Reuben A. Belland, 87, Dickinson died Sunday, May 10, 2009 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Reuben’s funeral service will be at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Peace Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Steve Schou officiating. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, and Military Honors will be provided by the New England American Legion, Anton Ulijohn Post #66. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Reuben A. Belland was born July 23, 1921 at New England, the son of Theodore and Anna (Hagen) Belland. He was raised and educated in New England, graduating from New England High School in 1939.
Reuben served in the United States Army from December 3, 1942 to October 17, 1945 as part of the 33rd Spearhead Armored Division. He was part of the Normandy Invasion and remained in the European Theatre until the end of World War II. He received military honors which included the Purple Heart and then returned to New England to farm.
On October 1, 1949 he married Rosella Thomas. They raised cattle and farmed together south of New England for 43 years and in 2005 moved to Dickinson where they had lived at Park Avenue Villa, Hawks Point and eventually St. Luke’s Home.
Reuben belonged to the New England American Legion, the ASCS Board, Eagle’s, Our Redeemer’s Luther Church and the township board, in New England. He enjoyed playing pinochle, traveling, gardening, golfing, fishing and bowling. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and his friends. The smile he wore while with them will be long remembered.
Reuben is survived by his wife, Rosella; their four children, Judy (Chuck) Babcock, St. Frances, Minn., Jane (Brian) Jesperson, Bismarck, Kent (Wanda) Belland, Bismarck and Bowman, and Shirley (Jeff) Kallenbach, Dickinson; 10 grandchildren, Jane and Brian’s children, Andrea, Alisa (Brian) Linné, Megan and Luke; Kent and Wanda’s daughter, Emily; Shirley and Jeff’s children, David (Avin), Patrick, Kevin (Kellie Elsner), Joseph and Korey; one great-granddaughter, Kambree Kallenbach (daughter of Kevin and Kellie). He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Anna; and three brothers, Oliver, Kenneth and Art.
We loved him and will miss him immensely! His kind and gentle spirit and loving presence will not be forgotten. We know God is welcoming him and saying “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
