J. Bernice Leichtnam, age 97 of Rapid City, died December 22, 2008 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.. Born in Presho, SD on October 8, 1911 to Ole and Rebecca Mae (Phillips) Severson. She attended schools in Presho, Vivian and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1928. She then worked at the Mitchell Daily Republic, saving enough money to attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls. While at Auggie, she competed in many debate and extemporaneous speech contests, she also was homecoming Queen in 1936; her picture still hangs in the Commons. After graduating magna cum laude in 1937, she worked at KSOO radio station where she had her own show, Queen of the pots and pans in 1939. She married Joe E. Leichtnam in Presho in 1942 and they had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Memberships include Christ the King Church, choir and Alter Society, Preshokia Club, Lyman County Red Cross Treasurer, Board of Education for Presho Schools, 4-H Club Leader, Girl Scout Leader, Boy Scout Leader, musical director for various musical reviews in Lyman County, sang in the Womens Club trio, was the coordinator for an old fashioned style show in 1960 which commemorated the 100th anniversary of President Lincoln designating Dakota Territory and director for two musicals produced by the Presho Jaycettes. In 1964 they moved to Rapid City and she continued to be active, including membership in Blessed Sacrament Church, a charter member of the Borglund Lodge, and Rapid City branch of the Sons of Norway. She served in many capacities during her 30 years of active participation. She is survived by her son, James Leichtnam, and his wife, Janet, Brighton, CO., her daughters June Faust, and her husband, Richard, Rebecca Harris and grandchildren Nick Harris, Leah (Justin) Woodard, Noah Harris and Hannah Harris, many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Joe Leichtnam and infant son, Joseph Clair. Visitation will be held, Friday, December 26, 2008 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City with a Christian Wake Service at 3:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:00AM on Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church with Fr. Dan Juelfs presiding. Interment will be at Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery in Presho at 3:00PM, CST. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Black Hills Food Bank.