Leon Hedeen, 72, of Beresford, South Dakota died Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness. Memorial services will be 10AM Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation will be 5-7PM Monday, September 30, 2019 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with a prayer service at 7PM. The family requests memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org or Avera@Home- Hospice www.avera.org/support/donate .

Leon Lee Hedeen was born January 7, 1947 in Hudson, SD, the son of Leonard and Minnie (Crane) Hedeen.  He passed away on September 24, 2019 at his home in Beresford, SD.

Leon attended grade school at Newdale Country School in rural Beresford near the family farm and graduated from Beresford High School in 1965.  While in high school, Leon played football and was an active member of FFA.

Leon married Shirley (Hanson) Peterson on September 17, 1965.  Leon and Shirley had two daughters, Cynthia Marie and Crystalyn Ann.  On September 8, 1997 Leon married Ann Lubke at Stav Kirk Chapel in Rapid City, SD.

Leon was part of the agricultural community his entire life as a farmer, pork producer and a member of the SD Pork Council, worked for Carlson Produce Feed and Seed in his earlier days and retired from Simplot after 20 years.

Leon and Ann enjoyed traveling to Alaska (twice), Nova Scotia, the Canadian Rockies, Branson, MO, Hawaii, and California.  He was on the lookout for moose wherever he went.

In retirement, he could be found having coffee with the "seniors" and many others, keeping his yard and family farmstead in pristine condition, and always showed appreciation and kindness to all animals. And most recently a friend of the birds, squirrels and rabbits in his backyard.

Leon is survived by his wife, Ann (Lubke) Hedeen of twenty-two years; his daughters, Cindy (Rich) Kinzley of Rapid City, SD and Crissy (Al) Mullinix of Beresford, SD; and step-daughters, Kari (Brian) Steiner of Aberdeen, SD, Laura Mahrer of Beresford, SD and Carla (Shane) Lee Wahpeton, ND; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kevin (Jessica) Kinzley, Ella and Phoebe of Red Lodge, MT, Ali (Spencer) Brewster and Rowen Leon of Aurora, CO; Josie Kinzley and friend Alec Winter of Greeley, CO; Joshua (Samantha) Hanson, Landon and Jaxton of Sioux Falls, SD, Stephanie Hanson and friend David Cullis, Sioux City, IA, Michael Hanson of Beresford, SD and friend Ashlyn Wall; Capri and Cameron Mullinix of Beresford, SD; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren: Raymond (Christa) Christianson, Ben and Ian of Aberdeen, SD, Kelsey (Trevor) Gross, Ella and Inga of Tolleson, AZ, Matthew (Leslie) Mahrer and Adalynn of Corpus Christi, TX; Lucas Mahrer of Seattle, WA,  Justin Lee of Milnor, ND, Abby (Kyle) Volker of Herman, MN, Tracer and Payton Lee of Wahpeton, ND; sisters, Mavis Webb of  Lincoln, NE and Marla Henderson of Centerville, SD; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Frisby of Boulder, CO and  Karen (Susie) Bryn of Argusville, ND; brother-in-law, William "Bill" Lubke of Milnor, ND; many nieces and nephews, and countless other dear family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Minnie (Crane) Hedeen; brothers, Roger Hedeen and Darrel Hedeen; Darrel's wife, Elaine, and their son, Jeff Hedeen; and sister-in-law, Wilma "Willy" Lubke.

His family and friends will always remember him as being humble, kind, and funny with a very dry sense of humor.

Mathew 25:23 His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your Master."