General Information
Full Name: Leo Daniel Mornson
Date of Birth: May 23, 1925
Date of Death: October 26, 2013
Leo’s life story
Leo Dan Mornson
On May 23, 1925 in Ford River, Michigan, Leo Dan Mornson was born to parents Harvey and Mary (Kundinger) Mornson. He was the third youngest of 10 children. Leo’s childhood years were spent in the Upper Peninsula of Lake Michigan. At age four his father died and at age 12 his mother died. After his father’s death, he helped support the family by selling vegetables to the locals and singing in the local tavern. After his mother died he moved in with their Uncle Joe in Auburndale, Wisconsin. At age 15, he moved in with his sister, Marie Snell in Prior Lake, MN.
At age 17, Leo joined the Navy where he honorably served for three years and was active in WWII. Following the service, he moved back to Prior Lake. At a dance at Mertz ballroom in Jordan, he met a young woman named Elvira Hartman. After a year of courtship, they were married on August 26, 1947 at St. Benedict Catholic Church. They were blessed with seven children, Ron, Karen, Kathleen, Joseph (infant son who died shortly after birth), Bob Rich and Mike.
He attended barber school and held licenses in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. He cut hair for over 50 years at many locations including the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, and in private shops in Jordan, Marshfield, Wisconsin and Greenwood, Wisconsin, to name a few.
His love for his family was most important to him, but a close second was the Green Bay Packers. He had all his children and grandchildren believing that the “Green and Gold” were the only real football team. Leo was known to set up a gambling board or two, especially if it meant the Packers vs. the Vikings. Leo also had a love for some other teams including the Milwaukee Braves, Minnesota Twins, Wisconsin Badgers, and of course the Jordan Hubmen and Jordan Brewers, especially when one of the boys were playing.
Leo had many enjoyments in life including watching old comedies like W. C. Fields, Marx Brothers and Red Skeleton. He enjoyed cooking on the grill, making soup, old steam engine trains and casinos, especially Las Vegas. But what mattered most, were his grandchildren.
Known for his unique character, sense of humor, one liners, positive attitude and that sparkle in his eye, Leo was 88 when he entered eternal peace on the afternoon of Saturday, October 26, 2013, with his loving family at his side at the Auburn Manor nursing home in Chaska, just hours after a visit by his most recent great-granddaughter, born five days prior to his death.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Leo, are his children, Ron (Vicki) Mornson of Jordan, Karen (Jim) Jabas of Montgomery, Kathleen (Al) Bakke of Minneapolis, Bob (Rena) Mornson of Chaska, Rich (Dawn) Mornson of Bloomington, Mike (Karla) Mornson of New Brighton; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Ellen (George) Plautz of Marshfield, WI, Jeannie Wilfahrt of Marshfield, WI
Leo is preceded in death by his wife, Elvira Mornson; infant son, Joseph Mornson; parents, Harvey and Mary (Kundinger) Mornson; brothers, George, Robert, Louis, Raymond; sisters, Marie Snell, Theresa Bugar; infant sister, Mary.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 10 am, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Leo will be laid to rest next to his wife, Elvira at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Volunteer Rifle Squad.
The Mornson family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jordan Chapel. https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/
Visitation
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 4 -7:00 PM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First St. W. Jordan, MN
There also will be visitation at the church 1 hour prior to services.
Service Information
When: Thursday, October 31, 2013, 10 AM
Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Address: 313 E. Second St.
Jordan, MN 55352
Interment
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Minneapolis, MN
