Leon V. Minor

Leon V. Minor, 86, of rural Westby - today is a great day of sadness as Leon Vern Minor passed from our presence. He was a loving husband, father, step-father and most of all a friend. He was born March 7, 1931 to John C. and Aldona (Moen) Minor at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. He was baptized April 3, 1931 at the parsonage of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church by the Rev. H.O. Bach. He married Joan Mach of La Crosse in February 1951 and they later divorced. He married Doris (Bock) Rich in March 1990. Leon served 24 year in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. Leon was stationed on bases in the U.S., Korea, Philippines, and Turkey. His last base served was at Duluth, Minnesota. While serving, Leon learned Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog and Turkish. Upon retirement in 1972 Leon went to school at UMD studying World History and Geography. He served as a deputy sheriff in Lake County, Minnesota. He helped start the Search and Rescue Squad for Lake County. He had owned Leon's Tackle Repair business at his home on the north shore of Lake Superior at Knife River. He was on the Lake County Recreation Board. He moved to the Westby/Coon Valley area in 1988. He enjoyed traveling. He was on the Coon Township Board as supervisor for 12 years.

He is survived by his wife Doris; children, James (Laurie) Minor of Proctor, Minnesota, M. Leanne Barry (John) of Rochester, Minnesota, Christopher (Sheila) Minor of Collierville, TN and Terese (Daniel) Claveau of Orange Park, Florida; step-children Anna (Carl) Wiegel of Oklahoma City, OK, Ethan (Jill) Rich of Minot AFB, N. Dakota, and Lydia (Joseph) La Mere of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren Sherry (David Janzing) Minor, Jennifer (Robert) Taylor, Laura (Brad) Donovan, Emily and Lucas Claveau; step-grandchildren Carly and Katrina Wiegel, Alexis and Wyatt Rich and Keegan, Adalyn and Nolan La Mere; great granddaughters Alexandra Minor and Katelynn Taylor; one sister Sharon (Robert) Sneath of La Crosse and brother and sister-in-laws; many nieces and nephews and good neighbors and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son John Minor, a granddaughter Andrea Minor and a son-in-law James Barry.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday September 25, 2017 at the Coon Valley American Legion Hall with a service and time of sharing at 5 p.m. Military honors and luncheon to follow. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at selandsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Vernon Memorial Hospice, Coon Creek Fire and Rescue or the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116.