Kenneth Leland

Memorial Services for Kenneth R. Leland, 87, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 31, at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Reverend Shane Koepke will officiate. Friends may visit with family one hour before services at the church. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran's Organizations. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Kenneth passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea. Kenneth was a true advocate for people in poverty. He helped families find and purchase their first home. He was a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity and of the Salvation Army. He was truly a caring and compassionate person and loved getting to know people. Ken often said "He was a good as anyone but not better than anyone." Ken was proud of his family, his military experience in the Korean War and of his Norwegian roots. Ken was uniquely thoughtful and inquisitive, intellectually curious and always well informed about all important events, local or global. Kenneth was born on February 25, 1929, in Bricelyn, Minnesota as the 13th of 13 children to Johannes and Josephine Leland. He is survived by and was married to Ordella Jean Hanson for 62 years. Together they owned Kenneth R Leland Realty company and was a well-respected realtor for shy of 60 years. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Della; and his six children, Debi (Neil Johnson), Nancy (Dave Ford), Tom, Bill (Pam) Leland, John (Jody Krantz) and Anne Marie (Barry Shaffer); and his four grandchildren, Anne Elizabeth (Matt Leland Clark), Alexandra, Joseph and Aaron and many nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his father, Johannes and mother, Josephine Leland; siblings in birth order, Hobart, Irving, Leon, Gladys, Orlando, Edgar, Mildred, Marion, Allen, Viola, Wallace, and Gerald; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army in Albert Lea, Minnesota.