Leonard Eller Jr., age 59, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at his home in Belcourt, ND.

Leonard Fred Eller Jr. (Chip) was born on December 2, 1960 in Oakland, California to Leonard Sr. and Viola (Schindler) Eller.  He was raised in Belcourt and completed his education at Turtle Mountain Community High School graduating in 1979.  Chip furthered his education by completing a 6-week pipe welding course at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND before going on to study auto mechanics at the North Dakota State College of Science.  He joined the Army National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He lived in Washington State and in Bismarck, ND for a brief time before moving back to the Belcourt area where he also attended the Turtle Mountain Community College, earning a spot on the President's List.  Chip was united in marriage to Brenda Parisien and later to Vanessa Thomas with both marriages ending in divorce.  He worked as a laborer putting in new cement streets and roads, was a sandblaster at Turtle Mountain Manufacturing Company and most recently, he was working for Laducer Sanitation as a truck driver for many years.  Chip was a proud Vikings football fan and enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and working on cars.  He loved animals and had a wonderful sense of humor, always joking around with family and friends.  Chip will be lovingly remembered as a kind and gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

Chip is survived by his daughter, Brittany Gifford (Elijah) of Moorhead, MN; three grandchildren, Isaiah, Ender, and Arya Gifford; step-children, Marlin, Sarah, Holly Parisien, and Joseph Perez; special nephew, Austin Thomas; siblings, Janell Eller, Janice Eller, Kevin Eller (LaRon), Kimberly Thomas (Richard), Joy Bercier (Carl), Joni Eller, and Shelly Sandstrom (Doug); and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr. and Viola Eller, grandparents, William and Margaret Schindler and Herman and Laura Eller.

Honorary Bearers are all family and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with Fr. Dave Brokke presiding.  A visitation will begin at 8:30 AM followed by a Rosary Service at 9:30 AM prior to the funeral mass.  Burial will follow in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.