Allen E. Leake

Allen E. Leake, 92, Emerado, N.D., died Monday, October 5, 2009 at Northwood Deaconess Healthcare Center, Northwood, N.D. Allen was born Aug. 2, 1917, in Grand Forks, the son of Edward and Almyra (Finnie) Leake. He grew up in Fairfield Township near Emerado, N.D. where he attended rural schools and graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks in 1936. He spent his life farming in the Emerado area and for many years joined the Harvest Brigade, custom combining wheat fields from Kansas to North Dakota after WWII. Allen saw farming change from horse-drawn plows to satellite navigated tractors. He loved trees, planting many acres for wildlife and windbreaks. He married Donna McGrath on Oct. 21, 1945 and they made their home on the family farm. They raised four children. Allen enjoyed gardening and tending his many farm animals, especially his dogs which were a big part of his life. Allen loved hunting, and fishing at the Northwest Angle Inlet, Lake of the Woods, where they made their second home. He and Donna traveled together to many places in North America and overseas. He is a member of the Emerado Presbyterian Church and served on the Emerado School Board. Allen is survived by his wife, Donna, of 64 years; sons Thomas (Diane) Leake, Lonnie Leake, Todd (Sue) Leake, all of Emerado; daughter, Laurene (Steve) Thorson of Louisville, Colorado; daughter in-law; Debra Leake of Grand Forks; 10 grandchildren: Shannon (Don) Baugh, Shawn (Julie) Leake, Kyle Leake, Kelby Leake, Kelsey Leake, Trevor Thorson, Tanner Thorson, Tyler Thorson, Skye Leake, Mica Leake; and four great grandchildren: Andrew Franks, Megan Baugh, Ian Baugh, Ava Thorson. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Weldon and Arnold; and sister Barbara Leake Heinrich. FUNERAL SERVICES: 2:00 pm Friday, October 9, 2009, at Emerado Presbyterian Church in Emerado, ND. VISITATION: 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, October 8, at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue for the hour prior to the funeral service at the church. INTERMENT: Emerado Cemetery, Emerado, ND.