Leon Gladen

Leon Wayne Gladen

Leon Wayne Gladen, 82, of Hibbing, died April 23 ^rd , 2016.  He was born in Bemidji, MN on April 25 ^th , 1933, to Leonard and Hattie (Holmberg) Gladen.  Leon grew up on the family farm in Bemidji and he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He was a graduate of UMD and he held a Master’s Degree in Geology.  He worked as a geologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for ten years and later for Lehman & Associates out of Minneapolis.  Leon and Bernice (Grzybowski) were united in marriage on July 1, 2001 in Kenai, Alaska.  Leon and Bernice enjoyed traveling the world together for his work assignments.  He enjoyed reading, hunting, collecting fly fishing rods, and gardening.  He was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, American Legion Post 222, and Sons of Norway in Hibbing.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice, of Hibbing; by his children, Kari (Erik) Berg, of Coon Rapids, MN, Danna Gladen, of Denver, CO, Paul (Patty) Gladen of Golden Valley, MN, Kimberly Gladen, of Eugene, OR, David (Karen) Grzybowski of Lino Lakes, MN, Daniel (Kathy) Grzybowski of Hibbing, Deborah (Vincent) Clement, of Cherry, Diane (Scott) Nehiba, of Hibbing, and Douglas (Mary) Grzybowski of Kenai, Alaska; by a brother Raeburn (June) Gladen, of Bemidji, MN; by grandchildren; Oskar & Henrik Berg, Amy Zahn, Kerry Asp, Brian Grzybowski, Angie Weaver, Eric Gryzbowski, Theodore & Timothy Clement, Dawn Hayes, Shae & Cody Nehiba, Matthew & Elizabeth Grzybowski; and 14 great-grandchildren.  Leon was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Lorraine.

Funeral services for Leon will be 11:00am, Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Waweru will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Thursday.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing, with military honors accorded by the Mid-Range Honor Guard.   Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .