Leonard “Leo” Stanley Loen
November 17, 1939 ~ March 09, 2020
Leonard Stanley Loen, 80, of Madison, SD passed away on March 09, 2020, in Yankton at the SD Human Services Center after a difficult battle with dementia.
Private family services for Leo will be held at a later date. The family requests memorial donations to Alzheimer’s research.
Leonard “Leo” Stanley Loen was born November 17, 1939, to Lauris and Selina (Langorgen) Loen on the family farm northeast of Howard, SD. He was the youngest of seven and worked hard on the family farm. He graduated from Howard High School in 1957, was proud of his letterman status in football and basketball and went on to achieve his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Economics from South Dakota State College in 1962.
While in college he met Arla Millar and they married in 1959 in Salem, SD. To this union, four children were born; Brett, Perry, Michelle and Coreen. Len and the family attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in the sixties and seventies. Len and Arla eventually divorced, but remained friends until her death in 2016.
Len was an exceptional salesman and worked for Standard Oil, Raven Industries and then went into the Insurance business where he worked until his retirement in 2010. His chosen profession was a perfect fit as he was a real people person, enjoying all kinds of gatherings, robust conversations and personal connections with people. Len was a very vivacious person and was liked by everyone who met him.
In his spare time, he loved to play cards, enjoyed boating, camping, fishing, pheasant hunting with his kids. Len was an avid sports fan, loved March madness, the Vikings, Broncos and Rockies since he lived in MN, SD, KS and CO. Later in life he enjoyed gambling trips to Flandreau. He practiced his faith in both Presbyterian and Lutheran churches and loved to sing in the choir. Len was very proud of his Norwegian heritage, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Len is survived by his three children, Perry Loen, Sioux Falls, SD, Michelle Kleindienst, Center Barnstead, NH, and Coreen Loen, Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brett Loen; and siblings, Ray, Vernon, Orlin, Curtis, Evie and Lois.
About 4-5 years ago, Leonard came to visit my mother Lois at a nursing home in Rapid City, SD.
I just happened to be visiting my mother on both of those visits, as it was during the summer and I was off work. On the first visit he brought pink roses, and on his visit the next year he brought red roses for her. My mother had dementia, and he was very kind and caring
toward her. I believe he was staying with a lady friend in the area, but I don’t recall her name. I was touched by his kindness and patience with my mother, as I am not certain she knew who he was. I am grateful that I was there at the time and shared those special moments with the two of them together. That would be the last time they would be together. Thank you
Leonard, and may God bless you.
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Leonard’s death. He was so kind and I was thankful that he made the long trip for my father’s funeral. I have let my brothers Larry, Ralph and Mark know. I will always remember his hearty laugh, especially when he was sharing memories with his brothers.