Leonard Wayne Fokken

Leonard Wayne Fokken, 84, of Clara City, died Friday, January 21st at CCM Health Hospital in Montevideo. His memorial service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, February 5th at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. Visitation will be one hour prior to his service at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery in the spring. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Clara City, www.hafh.org

Leonard Wayne Fokken was born to Elizabeth (Tebben) and William Fokken at home on May 3, 1937, in Crate Township, Chippewa County. He was baptized at Bethany Reformed Church and later, in his youth, made his confession of faith at Bethany Reformed Church. He grew up on the family farm. Leonard graduated from Clara City High School with the Class of 1955. He entered the military, spending two years in the 4th Infantry Division and twenty-one months in the 311th. On June 24th, 1961, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Oakland of Montevideo at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo. To this union, three children were born: Rhonda, Kyle  and Romelle. Leonard loved his family and enjoyed following their kids in their activities, always attending their many events.

Leonard had several jobs all involving driving, which he loved and was a very skilled at. He worked for the Clara City Creamery, where he hauled milk, helped farmers with farm work, drove for Thein Implement, hauling machinery, Thoma Oil Co., driving the gas transport, and Rustad’s Bus Company, driving tour bus. He drove throughout the US and also Canada. Leonard had several hobbies, including woodworking, making tables, benches, hutch cabinets and wheelbarrows. He also made wood pictures, which he framed.  He enjoyed refinishing furniture and he remodeled their home. He loved gardening flowers and his pets. Leonard was a proud member of the Friesen Historical Society, being proud of his heritage. His faith was very important to him. In his youth he sang in men’s choir and Sr. Choir. In adulthood, he was a member of the Men’s Brotherhood, served as a deacon, and elder. He considered it an honor to serve God and Country.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Lorraine: daughters: Rhonda (Brad) Fitzsimmons of St. Cloud, Romelle (Ross) Anfinson of Sauk Rapids; son, Kyle (Heather) Fokken of Minneapolis; grandchildren: Anne (Ross) Treadway of St. Cloud, Kasjen and Anika Fokken of Minneapolis; great-granddaughters: Eleanor and Abigail Treadway. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Mary Ann Fokken of Willmar, Marlyn Fokken of Montevideo; nieces, nephews; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Irene and Bart Talaasen of Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, step-father-in-law, three brothers; sister-in-law; infant niece, nephew, many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Blessed be his memory.

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