Ethel Ninah (Nilson) Leenerts was born January 4, 1923, to Nils and Alma (Erickson) Nilson on the family farm in Kanabec County, near Brook Park, Minnesota. She was baptized at home, by Rev. Palm and confirmed by Rev. Ronald Lawrenz on June 24, 1953, Tyro Township of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. She attended Country School. The Nilson family moved to Boyd, Minnesota, in the years of growing up. Ethel worked at Swift's in Montevideo, Minnesota, and also worked in the sugar beet fields of Fargo, North Dakota. Ethel married Dale Leenerts of Boyd on May 25, 1951, at Zion Lutheran Church in Tyro Township. They lived in Boyd and were the parents of five children: Debra, Vernon, Robby, Cindy, and Julie. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and grandchildren. She was always willing to help anyone in need. In 1997, due to health problems, Ethel and Dale moved to Montevideo to be close to their daughters Cindy and Julie. They lived at Eastgates Townhouses for two years and the remaining years at Rem Golden, until March 13, 2002, when she moved to Luther Haven Nursing Home. Ethel passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2002, at the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital at the age of 79 years, 2 months, and 28 days. She is survived by her husband, Dale; and her children: Debra (and Ken) Stevens of Canyon Lake, Texas, Vernon Leenerts of Echo, Minnesota, Cindy (and Jon) Hokins of Montevideo, and Julie (and Robert) Grant of Montevideo. She is also survived by many grandchildren; sister Mae Strand of Jackson, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Nils and Alma Nilson; son Robby; grandson Gerrod Leenerts; sisters: Irene Iverson, Alice Nelson, Gena Fanter and Edith Clausen; brothers: Marriam, Anton, Lloyd, Everett, and Harold; and a nephew Dennis Clausen. Ethel was always a warm, loving wife and mother and will be missed very much. Blessed be her memory. Visitation Tuesday, April 2, 2002, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Wednesday, April 3, 2002, 1:00 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church, Boyd, Minnesota Officiatomg, Pastor George Saggisor Organist, Mavis Hutt Soloist: Diane Guidi "How Great Thou Art!" Casket Bearers Lonny Clausen, Mike Clausen Dean Leenerts, Jimmy Leenerts Larry Nilson, Lanny Ostenson Final Resting Place Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Boyd, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota