Albert "Leonard" Balken, 76, of rural Fergus Falls, MN, died Friday, June 12, 1998, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. Leonard was born in Akron Township in rural Rothsay on October 28, 1921, the son of Julius and Emma (Fosse) Balken. He attended country School District No. 5, graduating in 1940 from Breckenridge High School.He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving in the Pacific and was discharged from the Navy in September of 1945.On August 2, 1945 Leonard married Christeva Taylor in Los Angeles, California. The couple made their first home in Elizabeth, MN, where Leonard worked at the Elizabeth Creamery. In 1947 they moved to the Rothsay area, and later the Fergus Falls area, where Leonard and Chris owned and operated dairy farms, until he retired from farming in the mid 1980's.Leonard worked for the county ASCS doing land measuring for several years; for over 25 years Leonard worked as a Licensed Assessor for Ottertail County and the City of Rothsay. He was a member of Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay, a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post No. 612, had held offices in both the Elizabeth Sportman's Club and Creamery Board, a member of the Rothsay Farmers Co-op Elevator and served on its Board of Directors, a rural school board member, and a former member of the Son's of Norway and Eagles Club. Leonard was currently active in the Rothsay Lion's Club as secretary.Leonard enjoyed music and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was highly supportive of his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren in all their activities.Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Eunice Bergerud and Evelyn Bilden; four brothers, Bill, Fred, Lester, an infant brother and one infant granddaughter.Survivors include his wife, Chris; two daughters, Judy (Bob) Nowak of Nakusp. B.C. Canada, Tracy (Brian) Buchholz; sons, Randy (Polly) Balken and Wes (Elaine) Balken of Rothsay; his grandchildren, Matthew Balken of Fargo, Toby Nowak of Vancouver B.C. Canada, Heather (Troy) Thimjon of Whapeton, ND, Shane (Ericka) Balken of Mountain Home ID, Chad Balken of Fargo ND, Amber Balken, Beth, Travis, and Anne Buchholz, all of Rothsay; one great-granddaughter, Payton Anne Balken Thimjon of Whapeton ND; his sisters Clarice Barrett of Portland OR, Jane (Robert) Griffin of Port Orchard, WA; brothers Roy Balken of Rothsay, Vernon (Darlene) Balken of Minneapolis, Earnest (Elaine) Balken of Rothsay, Jerome (Sherril) Balken of Renton WA, and Loren (Marline) Balken of Fairbault, and many neices and nephews.

Although the his given name is Albert, he was always affectionately known as Leonard. He named after his Uncle Albert, who had passed away that summer.