Leonard Furuseth, 83, died Sunday, May 8, 2005 at Veterans Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN.

Leonard Manley Furuseth was born January 16, 1922 at Gully, MN, the son of Peder and Johanna (Fladeland) Furuseth. He was baptized and confirmed at Gully. He grew up and attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1940. He entered the military, November 4, 1942.

On June 24, 1948, Leonard was united in marriage to Mildred Hanson at Roseau, MN. The couple lived in Thief River Falls all of their lives. Leonard attended the School of Business, Fargo, ND and was a milk hauler in the Thief River Falls area. He was manager of Mid-Land Co-op for 19 ½ years, inventor of a wild rice harvester, of which he built 48 of them and helped start the industry and also was a salesman for Hershal Manufacturing. He started Furuseth and Nelson Implement dealership and operated it until his retirement in 1977.

Leonard was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls and served on the church board. He held membership with the American Legion, Elks and VFW and was very active in the DNR. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and raising horses, which was his passion. He raised cattle and did some farming. He also enjoyed his cabin at Waskish, MN. He loved his family life, wife, kids and grandkids.

Survived by wife, Millie, Thief River Falls, MN; children, Sandra (Raymond) Gaffney, Eagan, MN; son, Jon Furuseth, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Cole (Jamie), Andy (Denni), Benjamin (Melissa), Katie, Anne, Brenna (Matt); 2 great grandchildren, Damon and Nate; brother, Jerry (Marlis) Furuseth, Howard Lake, MN; sisters, Evelyn Walsh, Seattle, WA, Myrtle Stromberg, Thief River Falls, MN, Ethel (Jim) Walker, Bemidji, MN and Nobelle Garr, Duluth, MN.

Preceded in death by parents; siblings, Pearl Helgenset, Paul Furuseth, Norman Furuseth and an infant sister.