Jerry Leegaard

Jerry Ernest Leegaard, son of Ingvold and Thelma (Anderson) Leegaard, was born July 12, 1939 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He grew up and received his schooling in Northwood, Iowa. Jerry was baptized and confirmed at Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Iowa. Following his schooling, he began farming with his father until 1962, when they moved to Donnelly, MN, where they continued to farm. On August 12, 1960, he was united in marriage to Sharon Kay Johnson. To this union four children were born, Jeffrey Allen, Jimmy Ray, Todd Melvin and Robyn Ann. The family lived in the Farwell, Ashby and Barrett area where Jerry continued to farm for awhile, before pursuing his real passion of custom harvesting. While harvesting, he began working maintenance at E.E.I. Power Plant in Joppa, IL, where he was a member of the Operating Engineers Union Local No. 48. Jerry retired from harvesting in 1986 but continued to work at E.E.I. until retiring in October, 2006.



Jerry enjoyed fishing, especially northerns, caring for and riding horses, gardening, drinking coffee and spending time with his two dogs, Milo and Pepper.



Jerry died on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at his daughter's home in Paducah, KY, having lived to reach the age of 67 years.



He is survived by his four children: Jeffrey Leegaard of Mount Erie, IL, Jimmy Leegaard of Fort Myers, FL, Todd Leegaard of Titusville, FL and Robyn (Keith) Smith of Paducah, KY; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his mother: Thelma R. Anderson Leegaard of Hoffman; one sister: Iva (Jay) Gullickson of Farwell; four brothers: Harold (Patsy) Leegaard of Dawson, John (Tammy) Leegaard of Gillette, WY, Robert (Sheryl) Leegaard of Barrett and Joe (Karen) Leegaard of Gillette, WY; several nieces and nephews and his best friend who was like a son, John Gibbs of Hickory, KY. He was preceded in death by his father.



Pallbearers for the service are: All of Jerry's family. Sue Erdahl-Nelson will serve as organist for the service with Holly Giese serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.