DENNIS LEAF SR.

Dennis Richard Leaf Sr., of Stanchfield, passed away at the age of 87, on Monday, July 10, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Dennis was born on February 1, 1936 in Grandy, Minnesota to parents John and Hulda (Smith) Leaf.   The 3rd of 8 children, Dennis grew up in Grandy attending Grandy Country school.  At age 16, Dennis began working at the Grandy Gas Station and then at Gillespie’s in Cambridge.   He began his career as a heavy equipment operator, working with his father at Larson and Leaf construction in Cambridge.  As a part of the Local 49ers Union, Dennis ran dozer and other equipment over the years for Truck Crane Service in Minneapolis, Blawknox in Mora, and Lindquist and Leaf Const. before retiring from Leaf Const. in 2000.  Never one to be idle, Dennis helped his son Jim at West Cambridge Auto Salvage, running parts and hauling cars for 15 years after retirement.  He loved being able to socialize and make friends everywhere he went.

On June 29, 1957, Dennis was united in marriage to Carol Codden.  In 1961, they settled on the farm in Maple Ridge township, where they raised their family and celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Throughout the years, Dennis raised cows, pigs, and chickens on the farm.  He loved to plant a large garden filled with corn and tomatoes which he and Carol would freeze and can for the winter months. Spending time outdoors, fishing, tinkering in his shop, feeding the birds, riding snowmobiles, deer hunting, or just cruising around the neighborhood looking for deer and wildlife, were his favorite past times.  Dennis and Carol took many daytrips to Duluth, as well as traveling to California, Arizona, and Montana.  He was a long-time member of the Braham Moose Lodge and served as Governor for a few years. Most of all, Dennis loved his family and time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.   He will be dearly missed.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Denise, son Michael, sisters-in-law, Sharon Leaf and Kathy Onifer, brothers-in-law Rene Southerland and Harold Engberg.

He is survived by his wife Carol; children, Lori (Jonathan) Swanson, Dennis Jr "Bosco", David (Jill), Jim, and Doug; grandchildren, Nathan (Haley), Travis, Nicholas (Katrina), Sarah, Megan (Nick), Matt, Dustin, and Brittney (Cody); great grandchildren, Trinity, Deegan, Jaiden, Christian, Adam, Addie, Shae, Seth, Sean, Hope, Dominic, Lilymae, Clayton, Angus, and Alora; siblings, Betty Engberg, Donald (Verna), Darrell, Marlys "Mickey" Southerland, LaVerne (Dennis "Butch") Golden, Dianne "DeeDee" (Mike) Lund, and Duane (Dawn); brothers-in-law, John "Tuba" Stofflet and Bill Onifer; sisters-in-law, Sandra (Francis) Hasser and Tammy (Jim) Calaman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on Saturday, July 15th at the Hamilton Funeral Homes- Rock Chapel in Braham and again 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

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