Donald Dwayne Leuthardt, son of Peter and Agnes (Barlage) Leuthardt, was born June 17, 1935 in Chokio, Minnesota. He was baptized on July 3, 1935 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville by Father P.J. O’Connor. Don grew up in the Chokio area, where he attended and graduated from Chokio High School. Don was united in marriage to Mary Lou Tirevold on November 9, 1954. Mary Lou died on April 14, 1981. On February 13, 1982, he was united in marriage to Sheila Mae Beyer Arnold at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris by Reverend Gregory Garmer. The couple made their home in Morris, where Don was employed by the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation for 27 ½ years. He retired in September of 1993. Don and Sheila have continued to live in Morris since his retirement.
Don was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris and the Morris Eagles Club. He enjoyed reading, walking, dancing, gardening, riding his John Deere Mower, bus trips and tinkering. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren.
Don died on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 74 years.
He is survived by his wife: Sheila Leuthardt of Morris; six children: Ronald Leuthardt of Eden Prairie, Constance (Loyd) Moore of Valley View, TX, Katherine Rilley (Jim Christy) of Curtis Bay, MD, Donna (Todd) Reinertson of Forman, ND, David (Jeri) Leuthardt of Morris and Barbara (Jeff) Wilson of Detroit Lakes; three step-children: Steven (Karen) Arnold of Morris, Jeffrey (Margaret) Arnold of Inter Lachen, FL and Terry (Anne) Arnold of Morris; 13 grandchildren: Chad (Sarah) Leuthardt, Eric (Tina) Leuthardt, Matthew (Tammy) Cronen, Patrick (Vivian) Cronen, Luke Cronen, Jason (Laura) Rilley, Justin (Elizabeth) Rilley, Jordon Reinertson, Ethan Reinertson, Amanda (Ryan) Jania, Brandon Leuthardt, Stephanie Wilson and Sarah Wilson; six great-grandchildren: Jacob Leuthardt, Hunter Leuthardt, Natalie Rilley, Jackson Rilley, Elsie Rilley and Audrie Rilley; 13 step-grandchildren: Zachary Arnold, Gabriel Arnold, Peter Arnold, Catherine Arnold, Duane Alliot, Dennis Alliot, Danny Alliot, Amanda (Dereck) Bormann, Sunnie Juergens, Erin (Martin) Johnson and Garrett Mullin; eight step-great-grandchildren: Jordan Grey and Grace, Eva and Logan Johnson; seven siblings: Patricia (Stanley) Bohn of Fremont, NE, Marvin Leuthardt of St. Paul, James (Joanne) Leuthardt of St. Joseph, Beverly Leuthardt of Chokio, Robert “Butch” Leuthardt of Chokio, Sandra Moser of Rochester and Thomas (Vicki) Leuthardt of Chokio; sisters-in-law: Audrey Weinman, Connie Leuthardt, Ruth Severance, Kathleen (Charles) Radeck and Carol Wagner; brothers-in-law: Dennis Haven, Loren Moser and Robert (Katrina) Tirevold and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife; granddaughter: Melissa Leuthardt; his parents; sisters: Marlys Leuthardt, Viola Haven, Doris Moser and brothers: Ralph and Edward Leuthardt
Pallbearers for the service will be Don’s entire family. Darlene Hennen will serve as organist for the service with Holly Giese serving as song leader/soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.