LEONARD ROY BRUXVOORT was born to Malis and Gertie (Williamson) Bruxvoort on May 15, 1921 in Crookston, MN. At the age of seven he moved with his family to Chandler, MN. He attended District 83 country school through the eighth grade. Leonard then worked as a farm hand until August of 1942 when he entered the service. He went through basic training at Camp Swift in Texas, Camp Polk in Louisiana, Fort Sam in Houston, TX and Hollywood, CA. In July of 1944 he was sent overseas and fought with the 377th Infantry Division. He was wounded on November 7, 1944 near Metz, France when his arm had been mangled by an artillery shell. He was captured and suffered cruel treatment, but was able to escape when the opposition was falling back during an advance by the Allies. Most of his other POW platoon members never made it home. Leonard then spent the next nine months in a hospital in Paris, France and Springfield, MO. He was later decorated with a Purple Heart Medal and a Bronze Star Medal.

On July 6, 1945 Leonard married Tracy Pater and the couple lived in Edgerton, MN while he worked at the Edgerton Bakery for the three years. In 1951 they moved to Luverne, MN where Leonard worked for AR Woods for 16 years and at Jarv’s Auto for three years. Leonard served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at the Christian Reformed Church while in Luverne. In 1969 the family moved back to Edgerton where Leonard worked for Fey Industries for 16 years, retiring in 1983. In 1992 they decided to moved back to Luverne.

Leonard passed away on Friday, August 23, 2013 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 92 years. He will be lovingly remembered by family and friends for his quick wit, his love for hunting, fishing, woodworking, riding his cycle and grilling great food.

Leonard is survived by his four children, Ronald (Loretta) Bruxvoort, Erie, CO, Ronelva (Terry) Bose, Brandon, SD, Delwyn Bruxvoort, Sioux Falls, SD, Timothy (Meg Fortney) Bruxvoort, Nashville, TN; eight grandchildren, Brian TenCate, The Colony, TX, Todd (Robin) Bruxvoort, Platteville, CO, Ryan (Melissa) Bruxvoort, Brighton, CO, Alison (Tom) Ver Steeg, Luverne, MN, Alanna (Jeff) VanSanten, Luverne, MN, Amanda Bose (Brian Kilbride), Sioux Falls, SD and Josie and Evan Bruxvoort, Nashville, TN; and eight great-grandchildren, Brenley and Blake Bruxvoort, Cade and Lauren Ver Steeg, Kelsi and Aiden VanSanten, and Ethan and Chloe Kilbride. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tracy; parents; three sisters, Evelyn Moret, Doris Van Surksum, and Ardella Doppenberg; and three brothers, Leroy, Marvin and Donald Bruxvoort.