Mark Wallace Leagjeld

Mankato Mortuary

1001 N. Riverfront Drive

Mankato, MN 56001

507-388-2202

Mark Wallace Leagjeld, age 70, of Mankato, passed away on July 12, 2019, in Rochester.

Visitation will be held at Mankato Mortuary on Tuesday, July 16, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Memorial service will be held at Union Presbyterian Church, St. Peter, Minnesota, on Wednesday, July 17, at 11:00 am.

Mark Wallace Leagjeld was born September 12, 1948 in Winnebago, Minnesota, to Hollis and Margaret (Heers) Leagjeld.

Mark was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-law, uncle, cousin, and good friend. In addition to spending time with his family Mark loved fishing, playing his guitar, watching old westerns, the game of golf, hunting, woodworking, reading a good book, telling stories in the Heers tradition, and a great meal with family and friends. His love of the outdoors was evident to everyone who knew him--working to create a backyard haven at their home on the Minnesota River, sitting for hours in a duck blind, and traveling often to visit the Black Hills checking out trout streams. He was an accomplished wildlife painter, inspired by his frequent outdoor adventures. Mark was also a writer. In August 1995, Mark’s story “Grandpa Came Along” was published in Gray’s Sporting Journal. Mark was also known for his gift of telling a good story; his sense of timing was akin to none. He understood the importance of stories for strengthening family ties, cherishing the history, and keeping the memories. One of Mark’s “brothers” shared a story with him about the journey of two young men who come to appreciate the gift of friendship, a respect for land and animals, but most of all, the reverence of stories. In Crow and Weasel, Badger counsels the two travelers to remember only one thing, “The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them, and learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.” Mark took care of those he knew through his stories, giving each of us a sense of how important we were to him. His stories became legendary to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Mark grew up in Amboy, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Presbyterian Church in Amboy, Minnesota. Mark’s faith was evident in the ways he served his church and community. He graduated from Amboy High School in 1966. Mark served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1973. Mark married Pat Irvine on August 22, 1969 and they had three sons, Erik, Jared, and John.  Mark and Pat raised their sons in the Amboy area and eventually moved to St. Peter and then Mankato, making good friends wherever they lived. He graduated from Mankato State University in 1976 with a business degree. He received his MBA in banking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Mark worked in the banking industry for his entire career. He befriended his farmers, guiding them through difficult times, instilling hope when needed. He was an unconventional banker, traveling the country roads to meet with his customers on their turf. He maintained those relationships long after he retired.

Mark is survived by his wife, Pat; sons, Erik (Joy), Jared (Becky), John and fiancé Emily; grandchildren, Jordan (Stephanie), Trevor, Meghan, Gabriella, and Natalie; great-grandchildren, Nolan and Harlow; mother-in-law, Lucy Irvine; sisters, Mary Margaret, Lisbeth, Jennifer (Andy); nieces, Sara, Amanda, Katie, Rebecca, McKenna; nephews, David, Ben, Kai, Bryce, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Margaret; father-in-law, Kenneth Irvine; brothers-in-law, Bob Hiller, David Vickmark and Duane Leach.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity in St. Peter, or the charity of your choice.