Leslie "Sonny" Stine, 79, died on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN. Memorial Services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, January 9, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with Rev. Bob Dahlen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Leslie Wayne Stine was born on February 11, 1932 to Lester W. and Bernice J. (Olson) Stine in Fertile, MN. He grew up in the Fertile area. Leslie served in the US Air Force from December of 1950 until August of 1954. He served in England as a fire fighter. He met his future wife Ardell Joan Garrison in Crookston and they were married on December 25, 1954. They lived in the Fertile area for about a year, where he worked on the highline crew. They moved to Crookston and Sonny worked at the alfalfa plant for a couple of years. They moved and lived in the Grygla area for most of their married lives. Sonny worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a highway maintenance worker from 1967 until 1992. Sonny and Ardell moved to Thief River Falls in 2003. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed trapping, hunting, and fishing. He loved to play cards and his favorite games included poker and rummy. Sonny was an avid gardener with beautiful produce. He worked hard at perfectly straight rows and not a weed in sight. He also enjoyed making wine, he and Ardell would drive miles to pick choke cherries for his wine. He liked to pick up the guitar and sing a few songs with his family. His favorite song to sing was "Froggy went a courtin'." He was a member of the Grygla VFW. Leslie is survived by his wife Ardell, Thief River Falls, MN, three children: Laurel Stine, Thief River Falls, Lee (Theresa) Stine, Warren, MN, Louis (Joleen) Stine, Thief River Falls, MN, four grandchildren: Jeremy Godshall, State College, PA, Brandie Stine, Warren, MN, Ashlyn and Jasmyn Stine, Thief River Falls, MN, mother, Bernice "Bunny" Stine, Crookston, MN, five siblings: Iris Moen, Fertile, MN, Julie (Marvin) Halstad, Fertile, MN, Bonnie (Dennis) Tollerud, Crookston, MN, Sandy (Dale) Cormican, Mentor, MN, Robert (Kitty) Stine, Trail, MN, several nieces and nephews. Leslie was preceded in death by his father Lester and brother and sister in law Gene and Jeanie Stine. Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com ORGANIST: Kathy Nelson SOLOIST: (Recorded) Scotty Torgerson SELECTIONS: In The Garden, There Is No Rocking Chair in Heaven CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross MILITARY HONORS: Grygla VFW Post and the Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard