Leonard Carlton Halverson was born July 31, 1932, in Spring Grove, Minn., the son of Clifford and Mildred (Storlie) Halverson. Leonard attended the Kelly Country School, and finished his education at the Mabel High School. After graduation Leonard stayed on the farm and helped his father with the farm work.
In 1952 Leonard was drafted to the Army and was sent to Fort Riley, Kans. Leonard was then stationed in Korea, where he drove a dump truck, hauling gravel and sand. In 1956 Leonard bought the family farm, north of Mabel. On August 16, 1958, Leonard married Loretta Gail Hoff. The two of them lived on the farm for 43 years and raised there four children. They retired to Mabel in 2001. During retirement Leonard worked for the local farm co-op, and continued to help his son on the farm. Leonard also served on the Preble Township board from 1986 to 2001. Leonard was an active member of the Scheie Lutheran Church, where he spent 18 years on the cemetery board. Leonard was a avid reader, enjoyed traveling, restoring older tractors, spending time with his family and friends, and especially enjoyed his grandchildren. He also enjoyed talking about family and local history. Leonard passed away at home on Thursday June 21st, 2018 at the age of 85.
Leonard is survived by his wife Loretta of Mabel; four children: Lynne Groves (Scott) Reichmann of Rochester, Neil (Lois) Halverson of Mabel, Sharon (Perry) Letizio of Prior Lake, and Lori Stahnke (Scott Parfitt) of Rochester; eight grandchildren: Sean (Kazanna) Groves, Bryan Groves, Laura (Joe) Gudgeon, Ryan Halverson, Marissa and Corey Letizio, Nicholas and Ashlyn Stahnke; one great grandchild: Zachary Gudgeon; two siblings: Keith (Joanne) Halverson of Spring Grove and Lorraine (Darryl) Rud of Dorchester, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Leonard is preceded in death by his parents and one infant child, Leslie; and son-in-law, Jeff Groves.
A special thank you to the St. Croix Hospice staff for all of their help.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018, at the Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel. Burial will be in the Scheie Cemetery. Visitation will be 4–8 p.m. Friday, June 29 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the service at the church.