Leo Cota, 71, died on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at the CNC unit of the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, October 18, 2002 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Tim McGee officiating. Burial will be in St. Dorothy Catholic Cemetery in Dorothy, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 17, 2002 at the Johnson Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Thursday evening and at the church for one hour prior to services on Friday.

Leo Cota was born on February 9, 1931 in Crookston, MN, the son of Napoleon and Emelda (Huot) Cota. He was baptized into the Catholic faith in Crookston and attended County School near Crookston. He was in the Korean Conflict from 1951-1953.

Leo was united in marriage to Lorraine Currie on June 27, 1961 in Dorothy, MN. The couple lived near Dorothy for 14 years. They moved to St. Hilaire in 1978. Leo worked for Vigen Construction in East Grand Forks for 38 years, building elevators.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, raising pigs and chickens and playing cards. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

He was a member of the American Legion of Red Lake Falls.

Leo is survived by his wife, Lorraine of St. Hilaire, MN; his children: Barbara (Gary) Gebauer of Thief River Falls, MN, Marlene (Roger) Flaten of Thief River Falls, MN, Virgil Cota of Thief River Falls, MN, Kevin Cota of St. Hilaire, MN and Michelle Cota of St. Hilaire, MN; four grandchildren; two brothers: Edward and Aldore Cota; five sisters: Alice Sirek, Mabel (Harvey) Mercil, Sister Raphael, Leda (George) Weiland and Mildred Vilven. .

He was preceded in death by two sons: and infant son Randy Cota and David Cota; his parents; brothers: Lyzum Cota, Henry Cota, Medi Cota; and sisters: Celia Guzek, Viola Fitzimmons and Sr. Emelda Cota.