Leon B. Vangerud

Leon B. Vangerud, 87, Fargo, died Monday, March 16, at Essentia Health, Fargo. .

Leon was born April 3, 1927 in Fargo, ND, the son of Betsy (Gaaro) and Ingvald Vangerud. He attended school in Fargo graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1944.

He was employed by Merchants National Bank in Fargo until enlisting in the Navy December 1944. Upon discharge, he attended Concordia College in Moorhead. In 1947 he was employed by Dakota Tractor and Equipment. On April 2, 1948, he was married to Mary Lou Moon in Fargo.
In October 1951 he was transferred to Minot. In 1952 he was employed by Schultz Machinery in Bismarck. In 1956 he was employed by ND Air National Guard in Fargo until his retirement in 1986.

Leon helped organize St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and was its first Treasurer.

Leon was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the VFW. He was a member of Fargo Moose Lodge and served as Governor and district president.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary; son Kermin; grandson Jared; great-grandson, Johrdan and sister, Mae Richards.

He is survived by his son Kenneth (Pak), San Antonio, Texas; two daughters, Kathleen (Ronald) Wigdahl, Colorado Springs, CO, and Karla Stich, Monument, CO; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sister Beverly Wolter, Fargo; and brother, Isel (Alice), Detroit Lakes, MN.