Leon Luce

Leon Luce, age 93, of Marystown, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

The family will receive guests from 9:00 – 11:45 AM on Friday, August 22, with Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12 Noon, all events will be held at the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne, in St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church, 15850 Marystown Rd – Shakopee. Burial at the church cemetery will follow with veteran's honors, and a reception will then be held at the church fellowship hall.

Leon was born in Shakopee, Minnesota, the son of Roman and Louise (Lenzmeier) Luce. He served our country, enlisting in the U.S. Navy from 1951 through 1954, on the USS Wasp, during the Korean Conflict. Leon was united in marriage to the love of his life, Arlene M. Theis, on August 10, 1955, in Marystown. They were blessed with 63 years together. Leon lost Arlene on January 26, 2019.

He was raised working hard and had continued to live his life with the moral sense of hard work performed meticulously. Leon was devout in many aspects of his life. He was devoted to his family, to his faith and his church, and to the land he worked. He was generous with his time volunteering, much of the time alongside Arlene. They were often found working side by side, farming, gardening, and supporting their children and grandchildren. Family was all the gold they needed in life, and their most cherished possession.

Leon worked at Minneapolis Moline for many years. He would follow a full day's work by getting home and working the farm. Vacations were spent in the field or helping others with their tasks. He was always an intelligent man and had remained clear-minded throughout his life. He was talented in woodworking, which would later become a career, building cabinets at the Chaska Building Center.

When Leon had a bit of time to himself, you would often find him at the end of his daughter, Brenda's, dock fishing. He so enjoyed the time spent fishing. He and Arlene enjoyed being social, savoring time spent with friends.

We will remember dad being strong physically, strong of mind, being proud of keeping the farm in order, and, more than anything else, being proud of his family: his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Louise Luce; his wife, Arlene; and siblings, Eugene (Mary) Luce, Elsie (Gib) Kerber, Jim (Joanne) Luce, Neil Luce, and Audrey Kaiser.

He leaves behind his legacy: children, Brad Luce, Brenda (Jerry) Henning, Bev (Mark) Hergott, Brian (Nancy) Luce, Bonnie (Shane) Buesgens, Bennett (Carolyn) Luce, Bart (Kurt Zarth) Luce, Becky (Shae) Anderson; grandchildren, Katie (Ben) Tepfer, Mindy (Josh) Longawa, Jillian (Kris) Henning, Michael (Sasha) Henning, Michelle (Jeff) Henning, Kenzie (Jesse) Thomas, Matthew (Molly) Hergott, Jesse (Cassie) Buesgens, Allison (Chad) Merriam, Jordan (Liz) Buesgens, Nicolas Luce, Samuel (Maddie) Luce, Maxwell Luce, Bailey (Reilly) Scully, Bria Luce, Brody Luce, Avery Anderson and Aven Anderson; 22 great-grandchildren; siblings, Mark (Arlene) Luce, Louanne (Lyle) Krueger, Helene (Steve) Schmitt; sister-in-law ,Benilee Luce, and brother-in-law Clarence Kaiser, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear family friends.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Marystown Catholic Cemetery.