Florence Leen

Florence Leen, age 103, of Rosholt and New Effington, died Monday, November 2, 2009, at the Countryside Inn Assisted Living in Rosholt.             Funeral services were Friday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Walla Lutheran Church, rural New Effington, with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating.  Music was provided by Greta Leen, soloist, and Helen Johnson, organist.              Burial was in the Walla Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Florence's grandsons and nephews:   Rick Leen, Dustin Leen, Charles Struck, Orlyn Struck, Larry Struck, Ron Struck, Curtis Leen, Gary Leen, Clarence (Butch) Leen and Alan Grupe.              Visitation was Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt.         Memorials may be directed to Walla Lutheran Church.             Florence Linea was born October 10, 1906, near Victor, SD, to John and Emma (Nilsson) Hull.  She was baptized and confirmed at Walla Lutheran Church.  After graduating from Rosholt High School in 1924, Florence earned her teaching certificate from Aberdeen Normal.  She taught in both Herreid and Victor, SD.              On December 31, 1933, Florence married Ellsworth Leen at the St. Joseph parsonage.  They farmed outside of Victor for several years, moving to New Effington in 1954.  Ellsworth died in August of 1969.  Florence was a resident in the New Effington community until her move to the Countryside Inn Assisted Living in January 2007.              Always active in Walla Church, Florence was Sunday School Superintendent, LCW President and the church treasurer.   For many years she was a substitute teacher in the New Effington Schools.  Florence was an avid reader, gardener, and Scrabble player.  When she became wheelchair bound, some of her best times were afternoons spent with her "Scrabble Buddies."  Florence was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan.             Survivors include three children: Richard (Marsha) Leen of  Alexandria, MN, James Leen of Rosholt and Barbara (Robert) Porter of Milford, IA; five grandchildren: Marsha (Greg) Mitchell, Richard (Kally) Leen, and Jane Leen all of Salt Lake City and Marnie Leen and Dustin (Jennifer) Leen-Winter both of Minneapolis; four great-grandchildren: Joshua Barrus, Haley Mitchell and Katie Mitchell all of Salt Lake City and Alexandria Leen-Winter of Minneapolis; her sister, Amy Grupe of Britton, SD; and numerous loving nieces, nephews and friends.         Florence was preceded in death by her husband Ellsworth and son Robert; great-grandson Zachary Barrus; several siblings and their spouses:  Gust (Tina) Hull, Esther (Oscar) Borg, Olga (Gust) Johnson, Mabel (Benny) Johnson, Ingaborg (Nils) Jacobson, Ruth (Leland) Struck and Merle Grupe; her in-laws and their spouses: Clarence (Ruth) Leen, Hazel (Ortwin) Struck and Orel Leen; and her former daughter-in-law Karen Leen.