Obituary of Leonard Gordon Stokke

Leonard Gordon Stokke, 94, of Floodwood, MN passed away on Thursday November 16, 2023 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Leonard was born on September 11, 1929 in Halden Township to Elias and Gerda (Ulvild) Stokke. He attended Halden School through the eighth grade. From 1951-53, Leonard served as a sergeant in the Army during the Korean War. He served with CO I 8^th CAV REGT 1, APO#201 and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, as well as the United Nations Service Medal. He was united in marriage to Elaine Saari on June 15, 1960 in Wawina.

Leonard resided in Floodwood for all his married life, 1960 through 2023. He worked as a logger, in construction, a fire spotter, and garbage man. He was a super grandpa and loved attending their various activities. He would never miss an opportunity to pick up a good pinecone and enjoyed spending his time dancing, mowing lawn, and playing cards.

Leonard was a member of the VFW and Floodwood Dance Club.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine Stokke of Cromwell; daughters Annette (Dan) VanderMay of Long Valley, SD and Diane (Rick) Hakola of Floodwood; son Kevin (Billie Jo) Stokke of Floodwood; grandchildren Jake (Sarah) VanderMay of Long Valley, SD, Shane (Terra) VanderMay of Corsica, SD, Shannon (Josh) Neuharth of Menno, SD, Orin (Cristina) VanderMay of Wall, SD, Nicole VanderMay of Chamberlain, SD, Alexis Stokke of Floodwood, Carter Stokke of Floodwood, and Kiaja Stokke of Floodwood; great-grandchildren Gus VanderMay of Long Valley, SD, Maggie VanderMay of Long Valley, SD, Everett Pies of Corsica, SD, Adrienne Pies of Corsica, SD, Sage Neuharth of Menno, SD, Kaycee Neuharth of Menno, SD, Chauncey Neuharth of Menno, SD, Isabella VanderMay of Wall, SD, and another Neuharth great-grandchild on the way; sisters Lorraine Guentzel of Cromwell and Mary (Jim) Mart of Hermantown; and sisters-in-law Sadie Stokke and Kathy Stokke; brother- and sister-in-law Leonard Saari and Brenda Smyth; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Julian, Kenneth (Dorothy), Clarence (Beverly), and Lester; sisters Inez (Rudolph) Hill and Darlene Mattila; brother- and sister-in-law Eugene and Kay Saari; mother-in-law Lennea Saari; daughter Sharon Stokke; and infant brother Silas.

Visitation: 10:00am until the service begins at 11:00am on Saturday November 25, 2023 at Hope Lutheran Church, 401 Highway 73, Floodwood. Interment will follow at the Wawina Cemetery, Wawina Township Road A. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet, MN. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.