Virgil E. Leach

Virgil Earl Leach, 75, of Glyndon, MN, died Friday, January 22, 2016, in Sanford Health’s Palliative Care Center, Fargo, ND, with family by his side. Virgil was born February 19, 1940, to Earl and Mary Holler Leach on the family farm near Glyndon. He grew up and attended country school before graduating from Glyndon High School in 1958. Virgil was later drafted into the U.S. Army and honorably discharged in 1967. Following his service, he returned to the family farm. On October 15, 1983, he married Debby Gustin and together they made their home on the farm. Virgil took pride in working hard. He was a heavy equipment operator at Midwest Excavating for 30 years and then drove truck for Lien Excavating until retiring in 2002. He also maintained the family farm and enjoyed raising their cattle and animals until the fall of 2010. He was a member of the Local 49ers, Knights of Columbus, and the VFW. Over the years, he enjoyed spending time outdoors; camping at Lake Lizzie, and hunting, but most of all loved his family. He will be dearly missed.

Virgil is survived by his wife, Debby; children, Pat Cindy Leach of Glyndon, MN, Pam Dave Shaw of Badger, MN, Tammy Tyler Kummeth of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Ryan and Dylan Leach, Taylor, Nathan and Joey Shaw, Peyton and baby on the way Kummeth; brothers, Gary Leach, Charles Rita Leach, Verle Leach; sister, Shirley Wesley Berg; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mary; sister, Beth Don Brunelle; and sisters-in-law, Margie Leach and Karen Leach.

Virgil’s family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Tinguely and staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center, as well as the staff at the Palliative Care Unit for their exceptional care.

In honor of Virgil, memorials will be given to Sanford Children’s, Patient Access Network, 4 luv of Dog and Homeward Animal Shelters.

Visitation: Tuesday, January 26, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with prayer service at 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Wednesday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m., in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Hawley, MN.

Interment: Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN.