Alton ‘Al’ O. Leedahl, February 18, 1943 • May 12, 2023
Alton “Al” Orlyn Leedahl, of Benson passed away May 12, 2023, at the Swift County Benson Hospital. Visitation will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Leonard, North Dakota Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Leonard, North Dakota, and Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Digital Fund.
Alton Orlyn Leedahl, the son of Alvin and Verna (Knudson) Leedahl, was born February 18, 1943, in Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm south of Leonard, ND and attended Helendale No 2 (one room schoolhouse) in grades 1-8 and graduated from Leonard Public High School. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering with post graduate work in Business Economics and Business Administration.
Alton was baptized April 11, 1943, at Zion Lutheran Church rural Leonard, ND and confirmed May 18, 1958, at West Prairie Lutheran Church rural Kindred, ND.
June 26, 1965, Al was united in marriage to Joyce Annette Hudson at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. They have one son Michael and his wife Petra and one granddaughter Victoria Marie Leedahl. Al and Joyce had been married for over 57 years.
Al worked as an engineer at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL, Towmotor, Cleveland, OH, R&D Enterprises, Inc., Leonard, ND, Doerfer Corporation, Cedar Falls, Iowa, McKee, Lincoln, NE, Valmont Industries, Fremont, NE, J. P, Commodities, Fremont, NE, Tyler Industries, Benson, MN, Engineering Design Concepts, Benson, MN, EDC Computers, Inc. Benson, and FI Group, Inc. in Benson. His experiences involved the management of the design of several different agricultural and construction machines; also, management consulting related to streamlining operations often involving the use of computers and software.
Bible studies have been a major interest in his life. He was instructed in the Kennedy Evangelism Program and Bethel series, Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, IA. He has led Bible Studies (especially the Men’s Group Bible Study) for several years at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Benson. He has written Bible studies including several eBooks under the name of John Dunn and placed them on the internet.; see figroupbooks.com. Al has also held several positions on the church council and church committees.
Al enjoyed reading, watching TV, traveling, analyzing stocks and commodities, He was a great handyman as he believed in fixing the repairs on his house himself: such as windows, sanding floors, fixing easy plumbing projects and he liked making things out of wood.
Al was involved with the Lutheran Men in Missions. While at LMM retreat at Green Lake Bible Camp, he met Richard Sivertson of Glenwood, Minnesota. Richard came to Benson to help Al start the Men’s Bible Group at Our Redeemer’s Church. During their discussions, Richard volunteered to donate a kidney to Al in 2011. Because of this very special gift from this caring friend, Al was blessed to live 12 years longer.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Michael (Petra) Leedahl, of Thornton, Colorado, a granddaughter Victoria Leedahl of Thornton, CO; brothers: Duane Leedahl and Arlo (Cam) Leedahl of Leonard, ND; nephews and a niece, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin, Irene, and Verna, and aunts and uncles.
May God richly bless the remembrance of Alton “Al” Leedahl to all who knew and loved him.
Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with arrangements.
