LeAnn Lenander

With great sadness, the family of LeAnn Adele Lenander (Henderson) announces her passing on July 15th, 2023. She was 83. 

LeAnn was born on October 6th, 1939 to two doting parents, Leland and Adeline in Halstad, Minnesota. Larry Dean later joined the family when LeAnn was 12 years old. The city is known for its production of sugar beets, and has a statue of the world's largest sugar beet, to commemorate this accomplishment. LeAnn remembered fondly of her childhood growing up in Minnesota’s rural farming community.

After graduating from high school in 1957, LeAnn went on to pursue a degree in education and social work at Concordia University. LeAnn later graduated with her masters of education from River Falls. LeAnn did a career change to financial services and earned her Certified Financial Planner degree in 1994. 

After graduating from Concordia, LeAnn moved to the Twin Cities and met Garwin Lenander at a teacher’s meeting. The two fell in love and were married for over 60 years, going on to have three children: Dana, Vaughn, and Alicia. Being a businesswoman was one of the most important parts of LeAnn’s life, a role that gave her much pride and joy. She was a supportive mother and grandmother, enjoying travels with Garwin to places like Greece, the United Kingdom, and Norway. She was known for collecting Santas, her love of chocolate, and spending time at her grandchildren’s sporting events. On road trips, she was the number one advocate for stopping at Dairy Queen. Christmas was her favorite holiday and LeAnn always enjoyed throwing parties so she could be surrounded by friends and family.

LeAnn was predeceased by her brother Larry, and parents Leland and Adeline. She is survived by her loving husband, Garwin, her three children, Dana (Doug Tholo), Vaughn (Shari Lenander), and Alicia (Randy Rowan), her five grandchildren, Parrin (Kyle Parizek) and  Connor Lenander-Tholo, Mitchell, Nathan, and Alexis Rowan, and one great grandchild. She will be sorely missed by both family and friends alike. 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:2

Service details:

Visitation and funeral will be taking place at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church located at 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023. Visitation will be 10-11am, followed by the funeral at 11am. Lunch will be served at noon through 2pm.

A livestream of the service will be available at:  saintandrews.org/funerals