LEONARD HOWARD HARVEY
June 21, 1925 – March 31, 2010 

     Leonard Howard Harvey, age 84 of Park Rapids, MN entered the Gates of Heaven on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
     Leonard was born on June 21, 1925 in Hannaford, ND to Lars and Hilda (Kalvik) Harvey. As a boy he attended country school near his home and as a young man worked on his parent’s farm as well as for neighboring farmers and ranchers. On December 24, 1945, Leonard was united in marriage to Esther Malina Melland of Forbes, ND. This union was blessed with four daughters: Linda, Patti, Kathy and Cindy. The young couple engaged in farming near Cooperstown for a time. Later, they moved to Willmar, MN where Leonard worked for the Municipal Power Plant in a career that spanned twenty years. Being part of that greatest generation, Leonard knew of the necessary sacrifice to be made to provide for his family and get ahead in the world. He would often work nights and weekends for the Goehring Turkey Farm to help pay the bills and provide for his growing family. At the power plant, Leonard’s first job was shoveling coal; but through determination and vision he attended college at night and earned a degree in engineering and worked himself up the ladder to the position of Chief Engineer. In 1966, Leonard chose a new career working as an inspector for the Western National Mutual Insurance Company. His territory included the states of North & South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1967, he moved with his family to a more central location within his territory and settled in Park Rapids. He retired from the insurance company in 1987. Leonard was a man of faith who loved serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids where he and Esther have been long time members. He was active in the church and had served on the Church Council, Bethel Cemetery board and as the head usher. He loved people and enjoyed using his incredible skills of repairing and building things to help folks in many ways. He had a heart full of love and joy for his grandchildren and looked forward to the times he could spend with them. He loved to play cribbage, dice and cards. He was very proud of his 100 percent Norwegian heritage and especially enjoyed the Scandinavian delicacies of lutefisk, cranberries and lefse. He loved the out of doors and his children and grandchildren treasure their memories of the times spent around the campfire with him on many camping trips. He was a master fisherman who enjoyed casting tens of thousands of casts for Walleye, Northerns and especially the elusive Muskie. Above all, Leonard devoted himself to the happiness of his life long soulmate, Esther and his four precious daughters who he loved with all his heart.
     Leonard will be lovingly remembered by his wife for the past 65 years, Esther; his four daughters: Linda (Jim) Becker of Park Rapids, MN, Patti (Alyn) Baker of Northfield, MN; Kathy (Jerry) Sollom of Glendale, AZ and Cindy Eix of Park Rapids, MN; his eight beloved grandchildren: Josh (Sara) Becker and Jenny (Nick) Becker Eischens; Jamie and Ross Baker, Heather and Corey (Kristen) Sollom and Carrie and Kimberly Eix; three great grandchildren: Ezekiel Becker and Ethan and Halle Eischens; his sister, Delores Johnson of Cooperstown, ND; two brothers: Sidney (Beatrice) Harvey of Cooperstown and Leland Harvey of Fergus Falls, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth.
     Services will be held 11 AM Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend Steven Norby officiating. The organist will be Roz Pederson and the soloist will be Rev. Norby. The honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Josh Becker, Jenny Eischens, Jamie Baker, Carrie Eix, Heather Sollom Kimberly Eix, Corey Sollom and Ross Baker. Interment will be made in the Bethel Cemetery near Park Rapids.