LeRoy “Lee” Oden Leverson (Uncle Bud), 82, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society – Battle Lake.
He was born on July 10, 1935, to Adolph and Thone (Oden) Leverson in Hawley, MN. Lee was baptized in Lysne Lutheran Church, confirmed in Hawley Lutheran Church, and graduated from Hawley High School in 1953. Lee attended Minnesota State University – Moorhead, obtaining a B.A. and B.S. in both Music Education and Math in 1957. Lee then received his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO.
On December 27, 1966, Lee married Adeline “Addie” Moum at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. The couple were married for 48 years when Addie died in 2015.
Lee worked as a band teacher from 1957-1993, teaching in Dilworth, Ada, and Brownton. In 1964, he started his career in Fergus Falls where he spent 29 years teaching and leading the music department, retiring in 1993. In 1966, at the request of the students, Lee fought the school board and started the Fergus Falls Stage Band. The jazz program continues and thrives to this day. In 2016, he was honored for this achievement and “Blues for Adeline” was commissioned for the 50th Anniversary of the jazz program.
Lee enjoyed going to Mesa, AZ, traveling, fishing, hunting, and flying. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (a college music fraternity), Isaac Walton League, Minnesota Music Educators, Minnesota Education Association, National Education Association, Academy of Model Aeronautics of RC Flyers and East Valley Aviators of Mesa, AZ, Kiwanis International, Otter Tail County Historical Society, a Friend of the Prairie Wetland Learning Center, and Sons of Norway, as well as a member of the Carlisle Band and the Silver Ridge Orchestra in Mesa, AZ. Lee directed the Zion Lutheran Church Choir, and later became a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, and associate member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Adolph and Thone Leverson; wife, Adeline “Addie” Leverson; sister and brother-in-law, Audrey and Peter Lee; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Al Bortnem and two infant sons, Anthony and Baby.
He is survived by his daughters, Katherine (Bruce) Moffat of Lino Lakes, Connie (Perry) Marcus of Underwood; grandchildren, Garrett (fiancée Rachel Wenz) Marcus, Sarah Marcus, Russell (fiancée Katie McKibbin) Moffat, Lee Moffat; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A special “Thank You” for the loving care given to Lee by the staff at Pioneer Cottages-Heartland, Good Samaritan Society – Battle Lake, and LB Hospice.
Memorials are preferred to ISD 544 Music Department.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2018, with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 2 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2018, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverends Tom Peterson and Jacob Anderson
Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to
www.olsonfuneralhome.com