Obituary: Leander Walen

Leander Walen, 87, passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at his home in Glenfield, N.D., surrounded by his loving family.

Graveside service was held Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Glenfield Cemetery, Glenfield, N.D. Chuck Walen officiated the service, with special music by Leander's great-grandchildren.

Leander Oriol Walen was born April 1, 1934 to Adolph and Alma Walen at Glenfield, N.D. on the family farm. He joined a brother Milton, and sister Nelda, and a few years later another sister joined the family, Margrethe. Adolph died in 1953, so Leander quit school to take over the farm. Leander met the love of his life, Janice, on a blind date with a friend and her twin brother, Jerry. They dated about a year and were married June 10, 1957 at Sutton Lutheran Church.

After the honeymoon, they lived in the small house on the farm for a few months, until they moved into the main house, after Alma moved to the Dybwad farm. On the farm, they raised three children, Charles, Leanne and Dennis.

Leander put the farm in Soil Bank and he took a job with NDSU Experiment Station in Carrington. He received the NDSU Outstanding Agriculturist Award for 26 years of service to the agricultural industry. The family moved to Carrington in 1968. In 1979, they moved back to the family farm.

As a youth, Leander was interested in basketball, baseball and rifle (he was an excellent marksman, receiving many awards). Later, he was a jack of all trades, farmer, welder, carpenter and inventor. He served on many boards throughout his life. Farming was his passion and even after retirement, he could often be found out on the farm in some piece of equipment.

He is survived by his wife Janice; son Charles (Joy) Walen of New Town, N.D.; daughter Leanne (Kevin) Revier of Courtenay, N.D.; and son Dennis (Fran) Walen of Sutton, N.D.; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; sister Margrethe Melton; sisters-in-law Patricia Rickford, Doris Smith and Elaine Smith; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Milton and sister Nelda.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Carrington, N.D.