Leydon S. “Laddie” Kolness, 78 of Hendrum, MN entered into eternal life on December 16, 2021, at home with family by his side.
Laddie was born May 20, 1943, in Ada, MN to Sherman T. Kolness and Mildred (Mjolsness) Kolness. He was a lifelong resident of Hendrum where he attended both Hendrum elementary and high school.
Laddie was an over-the-road truck driver starting his career at the age of seventeen. He drove for Sherman Kolness Grain Service and then independently for 36 years until his retirement in 2009. He logged many, many miles to various elevators in Duluth, MN, Shakopee, MN, and Superior, WI. His last haul before retirement was out of Rahr Malting, Taft, ND. Wherever he went he always referred to all his friends as his “best friend.”
Over the years, Laddie coached youth baseball. He loved doing that and as his sons remember he threw a strong and fast baseball during the many hours of playing catch. Laddie was an avid sports fan and was a devout fan of his children and especially his grandchildren and their teammates, making it to every game he could. The grandkids could always count on Grandpa Laddie to be there, and he was so immensely proud of them.
He married Beverly (Cotton) Kolness on June 30, 1965, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hillsboro, ND. They were blessed with five children, thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Beverly; children, Mike (Cathy) Kolness, Darin Kolness, Jason (Samantha) Kolness, Angie (Matt) Nelson, and David (Jessie) Kolness; grandchildren, Laura (Mark) Mitteness, Katie Kolness, Megan (Daniel) Lindgren, Michael (Megan) Kolness, Lily and Max Kolness, Connor Nelson, and Katelyn, Liam, Sawyer, and Joy Kolness; great-grandchildren, Morgan Mitteness and Beckham Lindgren; siblings, Tom Kolness, Donovan (Becky) Kolness, and John (Netta) Kolness; brothers and sisters-in-law; Gene (Lu) Cotton, Pat (Louis) Biermaier, Sharon (Gerry) Radebaugh, Howard (Colette) Cotton, Ken (Cece) Cotton, Lolly (Duane) Dumas, Jeannine (Lowell) Henn, and Tom (Molly) Cotton; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Laddie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billy Kolness; grandsons, Andrew and Nicolas Kolness; father and mother-in-law, Wilbur and Grace Cotton; sister-in-law, Debbie Kolness; brothers-in-law, Jerome Landgaard and Art Grothmann; nephew, Ben Cotton; and numerous in-laws and out-laws.
The family would like to express our thankfulness and gratitude to all those who helped Laddie in his year-long journey with cancer, especially; the staff at Halstad Living Center, Dr. Charles Breen, the Essentia Health Cancer Center, Dr. Ryan Smart, Jamie Upton, and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Your care, kindness, and concern will never be forgotten.
Memorials are preferred to Halstad Living Center.
Funeral: 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hendrum, MN. Due to COVID 19 concerns, masks are recommended at the visitation and funeral.
Visitation: Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Halstad, MN. The Rosary will begin at 5:00 PM, all are welcome, followed by a visitation from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM.
Burial: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Hendrum, MN.
