Leonard M. Olofson

Leonard Marvin Olofson, age 85 of Fargo, ND, passed away November 19th, 2020 due to a recent battle with COVID-19 related pneumonia. Leonard was stricken with Alzheimers and dementia but is now at peace.

Leonard was easy to love. He was a tender hearted, easy going, quiet, kind soul. Always smiling and usually humming a tune. He was as handy as they come and loved playing cards, golfing, dancing, and reading. He rarely gave his opinion unless asked and loved a good joke.

Leonard Marvin Olofson, the oldest of Harry and Louise’s four children, was born November 25th, 1934 in Bowden, North Dakota. Throughout his youth, he helped on the family farm and after high school graduation, he joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was known to hitch-hike back to North Dakota to visit his sweetheart, Lois on weekends.

Lois Sommerfeld and Leonard were married in 1955 and farmed for several years in Alice, North Dakota with their children Marvin and Morey. The family moved to Fargo where Leonard attended and graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Agriculture Economics.

Leonard’s 25-year career with Farmers Home Administration took him to Minnewaukan, Linton, and finally to Ashley, North Dakota after the birth of Michael. Leonard was active in the community serving on several boards as well as singing tenor in church choir. After 31 years of marriage, Lois lost her battle with cancer.

In 1987, Leonard married Joyce Bensen Anderson and gained two adult children, Tim and Cindy, and a large, loving extended family.

Joyce and Leonard remained in Ashley until his retirement when they settled back on the farm in Alice.  They wintered in Mesa and Gold Canyon for the next several years, returning to Joyce’s home in Ada, Minnesota and eventually Moorhead, MN. They spent many years dancing and laughing until Joyce passed away after 21 years of marriage.

Leonard’s family grew even larger when he married Joyce Gibbs in 2010. They enjoyed socializing and travelling together.

In the spring of 2020, Leonard moved to the Memory Care unit of Touchmark Nursing Home in Fargo.

Leonard leaves behind his wife Joyce, children Marvin (Patricia) Olofson, Morey (TJ) Leiseth, Mike (Darbie) Olofson, Tim (Hiromi) Anderson, Cindy (Steve) Rude, Keith (Kym) Pihlaja , Tracy (Frank) Vignola, Julie Pihlaja, Corina (Roger) Grandcorvitz; grandchildren Jonathon (Sherri) Olofson, Brittanie Olofson, Robert (Kelly) Leiseth, Miles Olofson, Mason Olofson, Ella Olofson, Ben Anderson, Emi Anderson (Paul Grethe) , Jennifer (Rocky) Mueller, Stefanie (Charles) Van Zandt, Kristine (Maxwell) Belanger, Eric Pihlaja , Kylee Stark, McKenna Grancorvitz and Anika Grancorvitz; great grandchildren Crosby and Bowdyn Leiseth, Corrinne and Adelyn Van Zandt, MacKenzie and Reagan Stark, two sisters Donna Hendrickson and Anne Oschner, brother Jerry (Dottie) Olofson;

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Louise, Lois and Joyce.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Burial will be at The Ada Cemetery, Ada, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association.