Leon A. Holseth, 77 of rural Bangor, passed away at his home on Sunday, June 21, 2026 with care from his family and hospice services.  He was happy to be home and spent time with family, friends, his dog, Cookie and 2 cats, Missy and Georgie.

Leon was born on a winter day on the last day of January 1949.  He joined his forever family when he was 6 months old.  Ione and Merritt Holseth welcomed him home to the farm in Sweden Coulee rural Holmen.  Living on a farm meant work even for a little boy.  But his grandpa, Alvin Olson would find time to take Leon fishing. This started a life long love of being out fishing or hunting.

Leon was baptized at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church, Holmen and started his early education at Maple Shade School.  The family moved to their Bells Coulee farm when he was 10 years old.  He attended The Bells Coulee School and later the Mindoro Elementary School where he made life-long friends.  The family became members of The Bells Coulee Lutheran Church just down the road from the farm.  Leon was confirmed at the church and was a member of that congregation until his death.  Leon graduated from Melrose-Mindoro High School in 1967.  He was in the first class to graduate from the school.

His parents sold the farm following his graduation and the family moved to Rockland.  He started working at Webster Lumber (Webster Industries) as a skinny, 18 year old and the job lasted 40 years.

Dia Kelsey and Leon were married June 26, 1971 at the Melrose United Methodist Church.  It was a beautiful summer day while the couple was surrounded by friends and family wishing them a long, happy marriage as life-long partners.

After a year in an apartment setting, Leon felt that living in town was not for him.  They purchased the Bells Coulee School and little did they know that they would still be there 54 years later.  They were blessed with 2 children, Michael and Michelle (Shelley).  Leon loved to show both of his children his love of hunting and fishing.  The family joke was that our lives revolved around the hunting and fishing season.  He had trips to Canada for hunting and fishing and was usually successful.  He enjoyed going muskie fishing on the Chippewa Flowage and ice fishing in the winter.  In the Spring it was walleyes and the first weekend in May you could usually find him at the Burns Dam.   During the summer months he would try fishing for pan fish in the La Crosse area.  In October it was a standing date with Door County salmon fishing.  For years it was guys only trip but later he gave in and let Shelley go too.  And then the shift was toward deer hunting with his dad, son and later grandsons.

Leon also brought the love of horses to our family.  While Shelley was growing up there was always horse related activities.  This was something three generations were involved in and enjoyed together.

When the grandchildren arrived he then was going to their sporting events and school programs.  He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Leon is survived by his wife, Dia; children, Michael (Janet), Michelle; grandchildren, Sydney, Alexandria, Mason Holseth; step-grandchildren, Brady Wing, Logan Claar; and little great-grandson, Kolton Claar.

Additional much loved family are Dan and Linda Kelsey; nephew Troy (Bryna) Kelsey; and children and niece Kimberly (Brett) Pinholster; cherished aunt, La Von Manchuk and special cousins Sandy Hilton and Sharon Howe; 2^nd son, John Lazarescu and life-long friends from Sweden Coulee, Mindoro, Rockland, and Bells Coulee.  Also his former daughter-in-law, Pam Holseth and her extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Mike (Jess) and Adeline Kelsey, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life service will be held 4:00 pm on August 2, 2026 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI, with a visitation from 3:00 pm until the time of the service.  Luncheon will follow.  Burial will take place at a later date.  Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.

Memorials will be given to the Farmington 1^st Responders, The American Cancer Society or person’s charity of choice.