Les Leonard

The funeral service for Les Leonard of Verndale, MN, was held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at the Central United Methodist Church in rural Verndale, with Pastor Chuck Horsager presiding. Surrounded by family, Les passed away on July 22, 2012 at the age of 81, at the hospital in St. Cloud. Leslie “Les” Arnold Leonard was born to Arthur and Estelle (Wehmeyer) Leonard on April 17, 1931 in Ocheydon, IA. He moved to the Verndale area in 1948 from the Iowa/Minnesota border and graduated from Verndale High School in 1949. Les met the love of his life Darlene Thompson in High School and they were married in 1951. Les logged and trucked before going into full time farming. He had dairy cattle for 42 years before retiring in 1993 to pursue his hobbies/interests in year round fishing, deer hunting, gardening, and an 8 year surplus of firewood. In 60 years of marriage, Les and Darlene raised 4 children: Diane (Phil) Olson of Finlayson, MN; Dona (Jim) Durbin of Basin, WY; Duane (Shelley) Leonard of Verndale, MN; and Darrel (Valerie) Leonard of Zumbrota, MN, all of whom blessed him with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Les enjoyed camping and traveling with family and friends (“the group”). He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church, Men’s Club and the Boondocks afternoon coffee group. Les is survived by his wife Darlene and siblings Darwin (Wilma) Leonard of Verndale, MN; LaVonne (Larry) Baker of Verndale, MN; Don (Kathy) Leonard of Sauk Centre, MN; sister-in-law Beverly Leonard of Aitkin, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Les was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Stella (Wehmeyer) Leonard; brother Laurence Leonard; and son-in-law Ron Stebleton. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Baker, Larry Baker, Doug Hess, Adrian Landwehr, Kenny Edin and Les’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Larry Rogers, Al Finn, Barry Blaha, Ben Landwehr, Chet Anderson and Wally Anderson. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Wadena County, 23862 158th Ave., Menahga, MN 56464.

Les Leonard

April 17, 1931 - July 22, 2012