Minerva Leitch

Minerva Ann “Mike” Leitch, 81, a resident of Underwood, died suddenly and unexpectedly in her home on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Minerva Ann Grimstad was born on September 22, 1930 at home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Selvin and Mabel (Moen) Grimstad. She was a baptized, confirmed and lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. On October 1, 1948 she was united in marriage to Eugene L. Leitch of Underwood, Minnesota at First English Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls with Reverend C.K. Preus officiating. That same month Gene began a 42-year career working at Fergus Falls State Hospital. They made their home in Fergus Falls where they raised their five children, Elizabeth, Bradford, Barritt, Bennett and Braden. Minerva was a stay-at-home mom for most of those years and also a Sunday school teacher and a Cub Scout and Campfire Girls’ leader. In the mid-1970s, she went to work at Lake Region Hospital in the housekeeping department until a work-related injury forced her into early retirement. In 1990, “Mike” and Gene sold their big house on Vine Street and purchasing a lot and new mobile home in Underwood. Together, they enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the United States and, for ten years, owned a winter home near Edinburg, Texas. Gene passed away on March 29, 2004. Entertaining her family for holiday dinners and decorating cakes for family occasions were a couple of Minerva’s favorite things to do. She was famous for her meatballs and gravy and her chocolate fudge frosting! She also enjoyed gardening, piecing quilts for each of her kids and grandkids, embroidery, board games and watching TV. She was an avid reader. She and Gene bowled on a league for many years. She loved Christmas, spoiling her family with many, many presents. She never missed an occasion to send greeting cards to her family, many friends and acquaintances. She was a pet-lover and always had numerous house pets in addition to a neighborhood of stray cats that she fed every night. Keeping Minerva in their fondest memories are her children, Beth (Roy) Hulm of Bison, SD; Brad (Deanna Nelson) Leitch and Barry (Carmen Holmly) of Fergus Falls, MN; Ben Leitch of Underwood, and Brady (Peggy) Leitch of Kasson, MN and one daughter-in-law, Candace Leitch of Fergus Falls, MN; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; Jason (Wendi) Beld, Taylor, Tanner, Abigail and Sophia; Kendra Deibert, Tyler and Austin; Ryan (Raven) Beld, Kaeleigh and Hayden; Amber (David) Jensen, Jaleigh and Colten; Jared (Jenn) Beld, Taten, Sydne and Symone; Kyle Hulm; Kirk Hulm; B.K. (Julie) Leitch, Bret and Beck; Casey Leitch; Nicolas Leitch, Blade and Anna May; Bethany Leitch, Marcus and Kingston; and Eric Leitch. She is also survived by two brothers, Manny (Judy) Grimstad of Bellevue, NE and Jerry (Debbie) Grimstad of Rice, MN; her sister-in-law, Pat (Andy) Formo of Fergus Falls, MN; two brothers-in-law, Milo Severson of Fergus Falls, MN and Dennis Leitch of Park Rapids, MN; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Minerva was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents Selvin and Mable Grimstad, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Esther Leitch; a son-in-law, Kenneth Beld; her sister Darnella Severson; brother-in-law Eugene Currier; three nephews, Mark and Brian Grimstad and Donovan Severson; one niece, Theresa Marshall; and her special faithful companion, Jordyn, her Pomeranian. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Kate Bruns Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.