A Mass of Christian Burial for Leland Auen, age 78, of Bemidji, Minnesota and formerly of O'Neill, will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, April 28, 2017, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill, NE.

Burial will be 3:00 pm Friday at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, NE.  Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. Thursday, April 27, 2017, with a 7:00 P.M. Rosary at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.  Leland died on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the Nelson Place Nursing Home in Bemidji, MN.

Leland Charles Auen was born on May 9, 1938 to George and Violia (Larscheid) Auen in Mott, ND.  He was raised on the family farm and attended St. Vincent Catholic School, where he was the 8th grade free throw champion.

Leland enlisted in the Air Force spending the majority of his service in Japan. After being honorably discharged he went to work in Sioux Falls, SD, where he met Carol Ludemann.  They were married in 1960 and eventually raised six children in O'Neill, NE.

During his life sold Kirby vacuum cleaners, owned a family restaurant called Lee and Carol's Specialty Hut, and sold mobile homes and real estate.  He spent the last few years of his life living near his daughters in Thief River Falls MN and Bemidji, MN.

Leland loved to listen to classic country music, watch cowboy movies and attend country and western concerts. His favorite car was a 1966 Oldsmobile 98 LS in Burgundy Mist.  Leland had a positive outlook on life no matter what kind of a day he was having and was especially gifted at developing relationships, always having a kind word for everyone.

He was a member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

Leland is survived by his children; Valerie Olson and husband, Daniel, of Bemidji MN, Natalie Murphy of Sioux Falls, SD, Greg Auen and wife, Nancy, of Dallas, TX, Sandy Spady and husband, Phil, of Crofton, NE, Scott Auen and wife, Kim, of Boston, MA; former wife, Carol Auen of Yankton SD; 12 Grandchildren, four siblings; Luke Auen of Manhattan KS, Clint Auen of Trinity, AL, Richie of Livingston, TX, and Jennifer Bonness of Hastings, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by son, Charlie, his parents, three brothers; Gary, Myron and Dennis Dean, and two sisters, Rosemary and Angie.

Thank you to all the staff at Nielson Place that took such good care of Leland, he considered you all family.  Also, thanks to the dialysis staff and all the physicians and Medi-Van drivers.  Finally, to Father Don from St. Phillips in Bemidji who visited often.