Leon Werner

Leon Werner of Dawson died on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Johnson Memorial Care Center at the age of 101.

Funeral services will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Boyd on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 10:30am.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 2 to 4 PM with at prayer service to be held at 3:30PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Leon Edwin Werner was born April 8, 1922 in Omoro Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. He was the oldest child of Edward and Clara (Lachelt) Werner. Leon was baptized May 3, 1922 by Pastor R.H. Vollmers in Omoro Township and confirmed on May 24, 1936 by Pastor A. W. Fuerstenau at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Omoro Township.

Leon attended rural school and graduated from Dawson High School in 1940. Leon was a smart boy in school. You would have to look very hard to find a report card that did not have all A’s. When Leon was asked if school was easy for him, he smiled and said you just need to pay attention and you can do fine. Leon has a memory that has not failed him his entire life. Even at 101 Leon was still able to share his wisdom and experiences with others. He remembered many of his life events and could tell you any date or name regarding family, birthdays, historical events, land ownership, and so much more. Leon read all the area newspapers and the Minneapolis Tribune in their entirety every week. Leon was also very proud that he had his drivers license renewed on his 100th birthday. He still enjoyed driving to check the farms and crops, to church and to Canby for Sunday dinners.

Leon was a proud veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy from November of 1942 to January of 1946. He served 19 months in Panama. Leon actually started farming at the age of 12 with his father, and later began farming on his own after returning home from the military. It wasn’t long and Leon noticed this cute school teacher who was teaching in District 53. They began dating and Leon and Florence were married on June 2, 1951 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Leon and Florence were both faithful, dedicated life-long members of St John’s. Leon served on the church council for years as well as other jobs. He did extensive work in the cemetery, identifying unmarked graves of babies buried there, and then providing a stone to mark each grave.

Leon enjoyed music throughout his life. We all have memories of polka stations playing on the TV or radio, and of course he never missed the Lawrence Welk Show. As he got older he played solitaire on his iPad and checked facebook page daily. He also enjoyed Wheel of Fortune. Leon farmed until they moved to Dawson in 1984. Retirement started a new chapter for both Leon and Florence. They enjoyed taking trips to many states, enjoying the sites as well as friends made. Leon played cards for many years with friends at Erickson’s Chevy. Later he started going to the Cenex every morning to get the paper, coffee and catching up on the news. Leon spent spring and fall helping his brother during planting and harvesting. In his 90’s Leon still drove a big John Deere tractor with a ripper plow. Leon and Florence never missed a family event or celebration with friends. They loved hosting Christmas at their home for all of the nieces and nephews that could come. Leon as well as Florence always cared for others and were known for their kindness and thoughtfulness to friends, neighbors and family. Leon took great care of Florence her last few years. He made sure to get her to all the events she wanted to go to. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Jun 2, 2021 shortly before Florence passed away.

Leon is survived by his sister Almira Koch of Montevideo, sister-in-law Helen Werner of Clarkfield, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joan and Lyle Gorder of Canby. Nieces: Michelle (Jerry) Werder, Cindy (Tim) Ritter, Veneta (Brad) Goar, Mary (Earl) Thrasher; nephews: Michael (Terri) Werner, Mark (Anita) Werner, David (Debbie) Werner, James Werner, Paul (Debbie) Koch, Joel (Andrea) Koch, Jon (Carol) Gorder, Mark (Nancy) Gorder, Tom (Amy) Gorder as well as extended family and friends.

Leon was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Florence Werner, parents Edward and Clara Werner, brothers Everett Werner and Eugene Werner; sisters-in-law, Verbena Werner, Muriel Wiegers; brother-in-law: Lloyd Koch; and niece, Susan Koch.