Walter Leach Sr., 86, died Friday, March 26, 2010 at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 PM, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernards Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

A Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, with a Wake Service at 7 PM and for one hour prior to the service at the church Wednesday.

Walter Walt Lee Leach Sr. was born August 6, 1923 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Frederick Valentine and Josephine (Simonson) Leach. He was the only child from his family to be born in a hospital. He grew up on a farm near the Pennington County line by St. Hilaire, MN. Walt proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. He served on the USS Swanee, which was an aircraft carrier. He distinctly remembered the ship and his fellow sailors seeing a lot of action during World War II. After the war, Walt returned to Thief River Falls.

On May 25, 1946, Walt was united in marriage to Helene Welch in Thief River Falls. To this family 5 children were born. Helene died January 17, 1979 and Walt continued to live in Thief River Falls.

Walt worked for the Soo Line Railroad for almost 40 years as an engineer. He retired in 1986.

He was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW. He liked to snow-mobile, hunt and fish.

Walt is survived by 3 children, Walter Jr., (Connie), Holt, MN, Darcy (Don) Faus, Dilworth, MN, and Marcia Merrill, Thief River Falls, MN; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; a sister, Helen (Richard) Jaeger, Toledo, OH and brothers, Marvin (Delores) Leach, Portland, OR and Harold (Sylvia) Leach, Minneapolis, MN and a very special friend, Vi Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN.

He was preceded in death by wife, Helene; children, Wayne and Jeffrey; great grandchild, Conner Lee Leach; son-in-law, Arlen Merrill; sister, Anna Faye and brother, Raymond.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ACCOMPANIST: Kristi LaSalle
CANTOR: Shelly Burkel
SPECIAL MUSIC:
CASKETBEARERS: Walters Grandchildren
MILITARY HONORS: Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117, Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #2793
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: By your presence today, Walters family considers each of you an honorary casketbearer.