A Memorial service for Leon C. Grove of Roosevelt, MN will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:00PM at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Roosevelt, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 6-8PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Leon Grove passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, at the age of 75, surrounded by his family in Roseau after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Leon was born in Warroad, MN on April 22nd, 1948, to Carlos and Alice (Estling) Grove. He was an only child who was blessed with many cousins who were just like siblings. Leon attended elementary school in Roosevelt and then continued his high school education at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN where he graduated in 1966. He made many lifelong friends while at boarding school in Crookston, who continue to be friends to this day.
After high school he attended the University of Minnesota at Mankato and ultimately finished his Associates of Arts Degree back at his high school alma mater, which had become the University of Minnesota at Crookston. Leon tried driving semi truck for Marvin Windows and Doors but he was always destined to become a farmer and returned to his home where he began to farm with his father, Uncle Johnny, and cousin Gary. During his farming career he served on a wide variety of local farm related boards; Lake of the Woods Extension Committee Board, Lake of the Woods County FSA Board, Northern Farmers Elevator, Cenex – Warroad, RL Growers Association, and the Grass Seed Grower Association. He also served as a director of the Northern Farmers Cooperative Exchange and was honored as Valley Farmer and Homemaker, along with his wife Janet in 1996. He recently became a member of the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Relations Board of Directors.
In August of 1974 he married Janet Johnson. They lived near the family farm with their three girls – Kristi, Jenny, and Marcie. Eventually they moved to the “big house” on the farm where he lived the remainder of his life.
Leon was especially proud of his grandkids. He would come to as many of their events as possible and saved all of the programs from their events in his special cabinet. He was also very proud of his faith and was a lifelong member of Mt. Caramel Church when he took great pride in being the cemetery keeper and serving on the church board.
Leon is survived by his daughters Kristi (Tim) Bjerk and Marcie Grove of Roseau; grandchildren Bailey (Keagan), Kacie, Clive, Tyler, Kylie, and Liliana all of Roseau; great grandson Easton; life-long best friend Keith”Doc” Deadrick of Paynesville; and many other close relatives and friends
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Alice; daughter Jennifer, granddaughter Jordan; and all of his aunts and uncles.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Christina Holte and Sandy Agre who took extra special care of him in his final months.
Last modified: 06/09/2023
