Leon Phillip Fernholz was born April 4, 1928, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of William and Florence (Collins) Fernholz. He was baptized in 1928 and confirmed into the Christian faith in 1943 at St. Bridgets Catholic Church in De Graff. He grew up in rural De Graff and attended school through the eighth grade. Leon served his country in the Minnesota National Guard with activation to Alabama in January of 1951. He was discharged on September 23, 1952. On March 17, 1951, Leon was united in marriage to Bernice Joyce Payne at Camp Rucker in Alabama. They were blessed with 25 years of marriage and eight children. Leon lived and worked in rural De Graff until he retired and moved to Benson. He was called from this life on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at his residence. He attained the age of 83 years, 7 months and 12 days. Leon is survived by his children: Mary Lou (Allen) Schlagel of De Graff, Darla (Steve) Quimby of Atwater, Patricia (James) Fullerton of Lake George, Guy (Patricia) Fernholz of De Graff, Karen Corle (Eric Anderson) of St. Cloud, Bradley (Barb Queenan) Fernholz of Kerkhoven, and Terry (Jody) Fernholz of Pennock; grandchildren: Stephanie Schlagel, Trina (Neil) Erickson, Jennifer Schlagel, Ryan Schlagel, Mitchell Quimby, Brandon Quimby, Jason Fullerton, Matthew (Paula) Fullerton, Heather (Jon) Lee, Sara (Nathan) Miller, Amy (John Wrobleski) Fernholz, Denina Kaunonen, Becky Corle, Travis Corle, Connor Fernholz, and Isaac Fernholz; great grandchildren: Hailey & Lindsay Erickson, Lydia Wagner, Mason Quimby, Michael and Anna Fullerton, Hunter & Madison Lee, Chase Miller, NiiLo Kaunonen, Natanya, Natalie & Trace Carlson; siblings: Merlin Fernholz of Granite Falls, Kenneth (Agnes) Fernholz of De Graff, and Theresa Doyle of Contarf; and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his wife Bernice in 1976; a son Greg in 2007; and his parents, grandparents, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law.
