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Obituaries from the week of October 6, 2004

Roger Donald Ball, 61

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 for Roger Ball at the Tracy Alliance Church, Tracy, MN. Rev. Edsel Miller officiated. Deb Miller was pianist with Heather Estey as soloist.

Casket bearers were John Ball, Nathan Ellingson, Jim Ellingson, Michelle Carlson, Steve Carlson and Mike Maas.

Honorary casket bearer was Lyle McKenzie.

Roger Donald Ball was born February 22, 1943 to Robert and Laura (Cowells) Ball Van Meveren in Tracy, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Tracy Public Schools for most of his school years. He lived most of his childhood with his grandparents, Harry and Mary Cowells.

Over the years he worked a number of different jobs such as coopering boxcars for the local railroad, the taconite plant in Taconite Harbor, MN, Swifts in Marshall, MN, Larson Sanitary Services of Tracy, MN, carpentry, painting and repair and cement work.

Roger will be remembered as a jokester, his nickname was Roger the Dodger and he always had places to go and people to see. He had a great love for animals, he was always taking in lost or stray dogs and cats. His past-time hobbies included fishing, gardening, time with the neighborhood kids and his friends, especially, Lyle McKenzie.

On Sunday, October 3, 2004 Roger died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 61.

Roger is survived by his two sons, Trevor (Jonie) Ball of Virginia, MN and Jeff of Rochester, MN; several grandchildren; one brother, Ronald of Duluth, MN; three half sisters, Rebecca Ellingson of Tracy, MN, Kathy Condon of Rosemount, MN and Diane Ball; six half brothers, David Van Meveren of Slayton, MN, Curtis Van Meveren of Marshall, MN, James Van Meveren of Monticello, MN, Larry Goss of Texas, Harold Ball and Ricki Ball; nieces, nephews and cousins.

His grandparents, parents and one brother, Warner preceded him in death.

Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.

Maxine Leonard, 86

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 2, 2004 for Maxine E. Leonard at First Presbyterian Church in Currie, MN. Dave Erickson and Ron Moffitt officiated. Organist was Wendy Steffen with the Pianist Deb Bassett. Special music was by the church choir. The pallbearers were her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter.

Maxine Leonard was born on December 28, 1917, in Woodbury County, Iowa, to Alfred and Clara Bistrup Kofoed. In 1919 the family moved to Minnesota, and in 1922 they settled on a farm south of Currie. Maxine grew up on their family farm and graduated from Currie High School in 1935. She then attended Mankato Business College. Before her marriage she worked at the Currie and Westbrook banks.

On January 12, 1944, she married John Leonard. Following their marriage, they went to San Diego where John enlisted in the U.S. Army. They returned to Currie in 1946. There they farmed and raised their children. In 1985 they retired but remained on the farm. In 1991 they moved to an apartment in Roseville, MN. John passed away on June 17, 1992.

Maxine moved to Walker, MN and then in 2001, she moved to the Park View Care Center in Buffalo, MN.

She passed away there on September 28, 2004, at the age of 86.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Currie. Maxine served as president of the U.P.W. and also was a youth fellowship leader and elder. Maxine enjoyed spending time with her entire family, including caring for her mother. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, canning and freezing.

Survivors include her three children and their spouses: Nancy Nelson of Maple Grove, MN; Karen Leonard of St. Paul, MN; and Robert and Robin Leonard of Currie, MN; five grandchildren - Chris, Michael, Bobbi, Sara and Angie; one great-granddaughter, Madeline; two sisters, Evie Engel of Omaha, NE and Donna Bjornlie of Dawson, MN; one brother David and his wife Ginny Kofoed of Denver, CO.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; two brothers, Cecil Kofoed and Marvin Kofoed; and one sister, Vera Hickson.

Interment was at the Slayton Cemetery, Slayton, MN with the Totzke Funeral of Slayton handling the arrangements.