Leonard Moe, 79, died on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla with Rev. Mary Gilthvedt and Rev. Bob Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow in Valle Cemetery, Grygla, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Grygla VFW and American Legion.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM Saturday. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.

Leonard Nilsfred Moe was born on June 27, 1931 to Albert Casper and Emma Elizabeth (Cuno) Moe at home in Grygla, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla. He attended the Beckrus Country School.

He was in the US Army in the early 1950s and was stationed in Germany and France during the Korean War. He returned home and worked in the logging camps for Norman Gladen and the CC Camps.

On February 2, 1957, Leonard was united in marriage to Edna Annette Hanson at Grace Lutheran Church, Grygla. They honeymooned in Thief River Falls. They made their home on a farm north of Grygla in Valley Township. To this union 8 children were born. Leonard farmed all of his life. He raised cattle, dairy, horses, pigs, chickens, and also grain. He also worked at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls as a welder for a short time. He also started a logging company known as Moe Logging in the 1970s and his son, Jason took the business over in the 1990s and Jared took over the farm.

Leonard especially enjoyed visiting with his children and grandchildren whether it be in person or on the telephone. He also liked keeping close tabs on his siblings and old friends. Leonard loved to start an argument and then leave; he also had a gift to tell stories. He was a good mediator to help solve problems and make decisions. Leonard was a member of the American Legion and VFW in Grygla. He was also a board member of the Red Lake Water Shed district. He served on the Co-op Store Board and the Farmers Union Board. Edna died in 2007. Leonard recently enjoyed gardening and spending time in Goodridge. He recently found friendship with Theresa Mutnansky and enjoyed time with her family.

He is survived by eight children, Wayne (Rose) Hanson, Grygla, MN, Diane (Lane) Loeslie, Warren, MN, Donna (Dave) Giordano, Keller, TX, Denise Moe, Fargo, ND, Darlyne (Tom) Roen, Grygla, MN, Carmen (Michael) Oelrich, Solway, MN, Jason (Jackie Miller) Moe, Grygla, MN and Jared (Kristie) Moe, Grygla, MN; 18 grandchildren, Ryan, Travis (Stephanie), Michelle (fianc; Joshua Skalsky) and Caleb Loeslie, Brent Witham and Janelle Giordano, Matthew and Brian Quam, Stephanie (Travis) Torgerson, Danelle (Leo) Osborn and Betsy Roen, Zachary and Peyton Oelrich, Raymond and Paizley Moe and Alexis, Ashley and Avery Moe; 6 great grandchildren, Tyrel and Rozalyn Osborn, Andrea Quam, Benjamin Loeslie, Sawyer and Tanner Torgerson, two brothers, Edward (Delores) Moe, Grygla, MN, Alec (Lemay) Moe, Thief River Falls, MN, three sisters Violet (Walter Deisen) Deisen, Roseau, MN, Marion Anderson, Cocoa Beach, FL, Linda Carlson, Roseau, MN, special friend Theresa Mutnansky, Goodridge, MN and her family, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Edna in 2007, two brothers, Baby boy Moe, Raymond Moe, and his parents.

ORGANIST: Kari Sundberg
SPECIAL MUSIC: Go Rest High On That Mountain by Kari
SPECIAL MUSIC: Mutnansky Family
SELECTIONS: Daddys Hands, The Masters Bouquet
SPECIAL RECORDED SELECTION: I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Rock of Ages, The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace at the cemetery
PALLBEARERS: Todd Stanley, Brian Stanley, Richard Mosher, Steve Saurdiff, Rick Beito, Gerald Kiesow, Wayne Thomas, Larry Bryl, Floyd Neuschwander
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of Leonards Friends
MILITARY HONORS: Grygla American Legion and VFW Posts
PRAYER SERVICE MUSICIANS: Mutnansky Family