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Leonard D. Larsen, 84,
Granville, ND, entered to
eternal life on Thursday,
December 10, 2020 in a
Minot hospital from com-
plications from a coura-
geous battle with cancer.
Leonard was born on
March 10, 1936, the son of
Edwin Milton and Julia
(Odland) Larsen in Minot,
ND. After birth, he lived
in a cabin in the Turtle
Mountains with his
parents before moving to
the family farm east of
Simcoe, ND. His child-
hood was spent hunting
and fishing at Buffalo
Lodge Lake and tinkering
with old cars. Leonard
graduated from Granville
High School in 1954.
While attending school,
Leonard was senior class
President, in the band,
student manager for
basketball, active in class
plays, and had a love of
baseball, playing for the
Simcoe Huskies and Le-
gion baseball team.
Upon graduation, Leo-
nard enrolled at the
University of North Dako-
ta, Grand Forks, ND, and
after spending two years
there, transferred to North
Dakota State School of
Science, Wahpeton, ND,
where he graduated with
honors in 1958 with a de-
gree in auto mechanics. In
1959, Leonard was drafted
into the United States
Army. He proudly served
his country stateside for
two years and was honor-
ably discharged in Sep-
tember 1961.
After serving, he began
his career at Mann's Auto-
motive in Minot, ND as a
machinist. During this
time, he joined the NoDak
Race Club, where he built
and raced car #40. Later,
he became part owner of
car #19.
On December 13, 1964,
Leonard was united in
marriage to Marlene
Skarstad at First Lutheran
Church, Granville, ND.
After living briefly in
Minot and Granville, they
settled on the family farm
east of Simcoe, ND, where
Leonard began his lifelong
career in farming.
Soon after moving to
the family farmstead,
which had been in ex-
istence since 1906, Leo-
nard and Marlene began
building a family. They
welcomed Kimberlie in
1968, Kristin in 1970, and
Kyle in 1977.
In 1970, Leonard was
elected to the Simcoe
Farmers Union Elevator
Board. Through mergers,
he served 33 continuous
years, which eventually
resulted in him serving on
the CHS Corporate Board
of Directors, St. Paul, MN
for 10 years. Leonard took
great pride and con-
sidered it such an honor
to represent the farmers of
North Dakota. A well-
respected farmer,
Leonard's knowledge and
friendly personality
served him well, meeting
numerous new friends
and fellow farmers/
agricultural professionals
throughout his time on
the board. During his
years on the farm, he was
also active on the Farm
Services Agency County
Committee for McHenry
County, and was once on
the Council at First Luth-
eran Church, Granville,
ND, where he continued
to be actively involved.
Leonard's highlight was
the many years of cooking
Lutefisk for the annual
church fall dinner.
Leonard and Marlene
purchased their cabin at
Lake Metigoshe, ND, in
1982, where they enjoyed
the year-round beauty of
the Turtle Mountains.
Their cabin was a favorite
gathering place and many
memories were made, as
they welcomed friends
and family throughout the
years. Leonard enjoyed re-
laxing there and remodel-ing.
Leonard was the jack of
all trades. His talent
spanned from plumbing,
electrical, mechanics, au-
tomotive, agriculture, and
remodeling. He had a love
of woodworking and con-
tinued to utilize his talent
up until his final days
providing intricate and
heartfelt gifts to friends
and family. In his later
years, he loved attending
his grandchildren's
events, sharing stories,
keeping up with technolo-gy, politics, current issues
and could visit with any-
one about any topic. His
infectious laugh and wide
smile were his signature
trait. With a quick blush,
Leonard's rosy red cheeks
melded with that big
smile, earning him the
nickname Pinky.
Leonard's pride and joy
were his family. He loved
farming alongside his son,
Kyle and graciously led
him to be the
fourth-generation farmer.
His legacy remains
through his children and
grandchildren.
Leonard is survived by:
Wife of nearly 56 years,
Marlene; Children: Kim
(Jeff) Nehring, West Fargo,
ND, Kris (Bryan) Van
Grinsven, Minot, ND,
Kyle (Kendra) Larsen,
Granville, ND; Grandchil-dren: Jordan Hall, Red-
lands, CA, Carter Hall,
West Fargo, ND, Madison
(Noah) Bosh, Blooming-
ton, IN, Brooke Van
Grinsven, Fargo, ND,
Kaitlyn Larsen, Granville,
ND, Kason Larsen, Gran-
ville, ND, Dawson Nehr-
ing, West Fargo, ND; Si-
bling: Dolores "Dodie"
(Jay) Stevens, Burlington,
ND; Uncle: Ingvald Od-
land, Velva, ND; Several
nieces, nephews and
cousins also survive.
Leonard was preceded
in death by his parents,
grandparents, and
numerous aunts, uncles,
and cousins.
Visitation: Monday, De-
cember 14, 2020, from 3
until 5 at Thompson-
Larson Funeral Home,
Minot. All local, state and
CDC regulations will be
followed.
Private Family Funeral
Service: Tuesday, De-
cember 15, 2020 at 1:00
p.m. at First Lutheran
Church, Granville, ND
The funeral service will
be livestreamed and may
be accessed by going to
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkw5wBH7W_IUwKUcuLvhgOw>
https://
www.youtube.com/
channel/UCkw5
wBH7W_IUwKU
cuLvhgOw
Graveside Service:
Tuesday, December 15,
2020 at 2:30 p.m. at
Stenkjaer Cemetery, Sim-
coe, ND
In lieu of flowers
memorials may be given
in Leonard's honor to
First Lutheran Church of
Granville, ND, Stenkjaer
Cemetery Board or Meti-
goshe Ministries.
Thompson-Larson Fun-
eral Home, Minot