Willard “Willy” Levenhagen, 91

Willard “Willy” Levenhagen, 91, a long time Lake Bronson area farmer, passed away at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, MN, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.  

Willard William Levenhagen was born November 2, 1933, in Monona, Iowa, the son of Frederick and Clara (Kiester) Levenhagen. Willard’s family moved to the Donaldson-Kennedy area when he was a child. Shortly after settling in Kittson County, they purchased a farm in Percy Township and started a sawmill. Willard attended country schools, and after completing his education, began working on area farms.  On March 14, 1954, he was united in marriage to Violet Karol at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Bronson. The couple settled in the community of Coates, Minnesota, just south of Minneapolis. Willard worked at Gopher Smelting and Refining until 1960. The couple moved back to Kittson County that same year and purchased a farm near the home place in Percy Township. They raised small grains and dairy cattle for many years and eventually sold the dairy herd in favor of beef cattle. Willard drove fertilizer truck every spring and fall for the local farmers cooperative, retiring in 1993. Willard would spend many enjoyable hours bird watching and working in his gardens.

Family members include his wife of 71 years, Violet; children, Craig (Cindy) Levenhagen, Lake Bronson, Wade Levenhagen, Lancaster, Kim Olson, Bemidji, MN, Daniel Levenhagen, Strandquist, MN, Nancy (Leslie) Kaml, Greenbush, MN and Amy (Eric Wold) Levenhagen, Thief River Falls, MN; 21 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Troy in 1990; two daughters-in-law, Linda and Kathy; a son-in-law, Dale; five brothers, Charles, Fritz, Palmer, Gerhardt, and David (Bud); and sisters, Ruth, Florence, and June.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Bronson. Visitation will be held at the church for an hour before the service. Interment will be in Riverview Memorial Gardens in Lancaster, MN. Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock