Leo J. McLaren

Leo J. McLaren Jr. age 86 of Detroit Lakes, MN formerly of Grand Forks, ND died February 1, 2017 at Lamplighter Manor in Detroit Lakes, MN. Leo J. McLaren was born January 11, 1930 in Fargo, ND to Leo J. and Pauline (Drayton) McLaren. He grew up and attended school in Fargo, graduating from Fargo High School in 1948. On January 19, 1951 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ackerson. He then served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955, stationed in Key West, FL. Following his discharge they made their home in Miami, FL, where Leo worked in the retail grocery business. Over the years the family lived in various cities until moving to Grand Forks in 1969, where Leo started his career as a communications officer with the U.S. Border Patrol. He retired from there in 1993. After retirement he worked for the YMCA and the Grand Forks Airport, until moving to Detroit Lakes in 2016. Leo enjoyed visiting with people, bird watching, camping, and a good cigar around the campfire. He is survived by one daughter, Lonna (Jan) Skyberg, of East Grand Forks, MN; three sons, Mark (Cherie) McLaren, of Grand Forks, ND; Tim (Julie) McLaren, of Superior, WI; and Dan McLaren, of Grand Forks, ND; ten grandchildren; several great grandchildren; one brother, Vince (Kimberly) McLaren, of Washington; one sister, Jeanine Milburn, of South Bend, OR; daughter in law, Karen McLaren, of Washington; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; one son, Lynn McLaren; and his parents. Funeral Services will be on Saturday February 11, 2017; 11:00 a.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Bakke Lutheran Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN.