Leonard Wiens

Leonard Wiens, the son of Claus R. and Sarah (Hooge) Wiens was born on June 3, 1921, in Carson Township, Cottonwood County, MN. He received his education at a country school near Delft, MN, and he graduated from the German Bible School in Mountain Lake, MN. Leonard met Esther Edna Derksen while they were both taking Bible classes, and on April 15, 1943, they were united in marriage at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Mountain Lake. They farmed near Mountain Lake until 1967 when they quit farming and moved in to Butterfield. Leonard set up an office in his basement and began herd testing for DHIA in Watonwan County. He did this for 20 years, some years testing as many as 68 herds once a month. Leonard was active at the Threshing Bee, the Butterfield Lions Club as Tail Twister, caring for the church cemetery, and on many Church boards. He enjoyed going to his sons' sporting events when he could, fishing and going to northern MN to fish, woodworking and welding, playing the accordian in his younger years, and listening to Gospel and Big Band music. Leonard died on Wednesday morning, February 20, 2008, at the Trimont Health Care Center in Trimont, MN. Leonard is survived by his wife, Esther Wiens of St. James, MN; four sons, Leon Wiens and his wife Sharon of St. Paul, MN, Mark Wiens and his wife Cindy of Fresno, CA, Erland Wiens and his wife LouAnn of Lewiston, MN, and Pete Wiens and his wife Jane of Victor, ID; a son-in-law, Hugh Long of International Falls, MN; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; three sisters, Alma Ewert of Dells, OR, Agnes McKenzie of Minneapolis, MN, and Tena Wiens of Mankato, MN; many other relatives and friends. Hewas preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Karen Long; a grandson, Tim Long; a great grandson, Caleb Wiens; a brother, John C. Wiens; and a sister, Helen Wiens.