Leander Thesing Obituary Leander George Thesing, 92, of Daggett Brook Township, passed into the arms of God surrounded by his family on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Leander was born Aug. 30, 1917, to John and Lena (Ditsch) Thesing in St. Bonifacious, Minn. They relocated to the Fort Ripley area in 1919. He attended country school and went on to be a mechanic. When WWII broke out he was drafted into the U.S. Army 54th Troop Carrier Squadron as an aviation mechanic. He received a furlough to marry the love of his life, Ellidore Houle, on June 22, 1943. Together, they raised their 10 children. After his honorable discharge from the army as a master sergeant in 1945 he worked as a mechanic until he was able to fulfill his lifelong passion to be a farmer. He farmed near Belle Prairie until the spring of 1957 when he bought a farm in Daggett Brook Township where he resided until the time of his death. Leander had a strong faith in God and a great love for his family. He had a big heart and was willing to help his family with anything they needed. He loved outdoor activities especially hunting and fishing. He also liked to play card games and watch the Minnesota Twins. His humor and love of life will live on with us forever. He is loved and will be greatly missed by his wife of 66-1/2 years, Ellidore; six sons, Richard (Kathy Tscholl), Wallace (Joan Perlinger), John (Carol Drahos), Robert (Judy Bourassa), Gregory (JoAnne Gilman), Leonard (Teresa Skwira); four daughters, Jeannette (Keith Austin), Nancy (John Bieganek), Audrey Thesing and Kathryn (Mark Almen); 38 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Raymond, Joe, Pete (LaVonne) and Paul; and one sister, Marina Hartman; two sisters-in-law, Mary Lou and Leora Thesing; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ambrose; a sister, Florence Longfellow; his parents; three granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. A Catholic Mass of celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at St. Mathias Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd on Friday, Jan. 8 from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. There also will be a visitation at the church one hour prior to services. He will be buried in St. Mathias Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Brainerd American Legion Post 255 Color Guard. Arrangements are with the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.