Leonard Champagne, age 75, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Quentin Burdick Memorial Hospital, Belcourt, ND.

Leonard Stanley Champagne was born on November 4, 1949 in Rolette, ND to Ambrose and Helen (Azure) Champagne.  He was raised in Belcourt and completed his education there as well.  Leonard enlisted in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. He later attended trade school in California earning his welding degree. He was united in marriage to Mona LaRocque and together had two children, Jennifer and Sheila.  Mona preceded him in death.  He later married Tammy Haggerty and they had two children, Brandi and Brandon.  They later divorced.  Leonard was a heavy equipment operator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for several years. He was well known for his expert skills and his work as a blade operator. Leonard retired from the BIA Road Department in 2010. Leonard enjoyed the outdoors tending to his garden and he took great pride in his yard work. He liked listening to music and playing guitar. He was notorious for singing the laughing song among family and friends. Leonard also enjoyed cooking and baking, always remembering to bake a cake for his children's birthdays. He enjoyed canning pickles and beets each year. Leonard had a great sense of humor, often telling jokes and playing jokes on his family. Every Easter, he would boil and color eggs, leaving one raw egg. He would laugh and tease the one who cracked the raw egg. He knew how to enjoy life, have fun, and live life to the fullest. He was proud of his family and loved them dearly.  Leonard will be forever remembered and greatly missed.

Leonard is survived by his children, Jennifer (Trey) Champagne of Belcourt, Sheila (Matt) Champagne of Fargo, Brandi Davis of Belcourt, and Brandon Champagne of Belcourt; eleven grandchildren, Kira, Damon, Hailey, Sadey, Dylan, Maddi, Kaymbree, Taetym, Lainey,  Kovie, and Major; seven great grandchildren, Kyrie, Brailey, Micah, Lillie, Brailynn, Zoey and Kapri; siblings, Ronnie (Adrianne) Champagne of Lawrence, KS and Viola (Alfred) LaFountain-Slater of Trenton; and nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Helen Champagne, wife, Mona Champagne, sister, Delcie Van Capelle, and son-in-law, Kevin Davis.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM and Rosary Service at 10:00 AM prior to the funeral mass. Meal to follow at Fiddler's Hall. Burial will take place in the spring. Father Richard Fineo presiding.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.