Leonard Wagner

Leonard Andrew Wagner quietly passed into eternity, in peace with the Lord, on January 26, 2016, at Eventide on Eighth, Moorhead, MN, at ninety years of age. Leonard was born in Tintah, MN, on May 11, 1925, to Nick and Mary (Koltes-Watry) Wagner as the youngest of their seven children. Leonard grew up in Donnelly, MN, where he helped on his brother-in-law's farm. Leonard attended Chokio-Alberta High School where he excelled at football and baseball, and was named to the 1942 All-State football team as a half-back. Leonard graduated in 1943 and continued working on the farm until enlisting in the US Navy in 1945.

Leonard served in the US Navy from 1945 to 1949, achieving the rank of Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class. Leonard served in Minesweeper Squadron 7, completing hazardous minesweeping duties throughout the Pacific Theatre, including Japan, China, French Indo-China, the Philippines, and the Mariana, Caroline, Marshall, Gilbert and Ryukyu Island chains. Leonard was very proud of his Navy service. In 1949 Leonard returned to Minnesota where he once again worked the farm. Leonard decided to pursue further education and apply his substantial mechanical skills. He attended Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo, ND, for his auto mechanics certification. Leonard also continued his athletic pursuits, playing amateur baseball and as a Golden Gloves boxer. Leonard excelled at the school, so much so that in 1950 they asked him to stay on as an instructor. Leonard loved teaching students and it was his passion. His mechanical skills were widely known in the area. He taught there until the school's closing, after its sale, in 1976. Leonard continued in the mechanics field until his retirement in 1990.

In 1952, Leonard met the love of his life, Beverly Thorson, at a club dance in Fargo. He was smitten and they were united in marriage in 1954. Leonard and Beverly had eight children together. Leonard was proud and had a deep, unqualified love of his wife and his family. He imparted his love of athletics, the outdoors and mechanics to his children and many went on to achievement using these skills. Leonard was widely known as a humble, Christian man but could also be a fierce defender if he saw wrong. Leonard was a lifetime member of the VFW. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings; Casper, Nick, John, Joe, Helen Spohnholtz, and Mary Ann Johnson. He leaves behind his wife, Beverly; eight children, Rodney (Liz), Jeri, Cheryl, James (Sheryl), Mark (Lois), Dean (Sheryl), Dana (Lisa) and Jason; 17 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Memorials preferred and will be directed to the FM Veterans Memorial Fund and other veterans groups. We would like to give special thanks to the management and staff of Serenity Assisted Living, Eventide Senior Living and Hospice of the Red River Valley for all of their care and support for Leonard and the family.

Visitation for Leonard will be held at Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead, from 5-7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, Thursday January 28, 2016. The Funeral will be held at 1 PM Friday, January 29, 2016, in Maranatha Free Lutheran Church in Glyndon, MN. Burial with full military honors will be at Moorhead Memorial Gardens.