Funeral Service for Leon Palmer, 86, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Friday, July 26, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Abigail Ozanne officiating. Organist will be Ember Dady with special music by Norah VanderLeest. Pallbearers will be Garrett Clancy, Kyle Robinson, Chad Robinson, Brady VanderLeest, Austin Knutson, Wyatt Hatter and Cody Schultz. Honorary Pallbearers will be Leon's granddaughters, Brianne VanderLeest, Erin Knutson, Kate Hatter, Karla Schultz, Karyn Moen, Lee Clancy, Beth Robinson, and Jessi Robinson. Military Rites will be provided by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and the Fort Sisseton V.F.W. Post #3342. Interment will be Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in the Restlawn Memory Gardens, Huron, SD. There will be visitation on Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a time of sharing at 6:00 P.M. Family will be present from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Leon LaVerne Palmer, 86 died July 18, 2019 at Tekawitha Living Center, Sisseton, SD. He was born to Leland Hugh and Lefa Rosella (Nesfield) Palmer at home in Altoona Township, Beadle County, SD with his twin sister on February 11, 1933. He claimed he was born in a blizzard and been cold ever since. Leon graduated high school at Bonilla, South Dakota in 1951. He married Norma Jean Cockrell on May 15, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Tulare, SD. To this union three daughters and one son were born. They resided in Huron, SD until Leon entered the Army in 1954, during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in a foreign country, now known as Alaska. Norma joined Leon in Alaska after their first child was born. The couple returned home to South Dakota where they resided in the communities of Huron, DeSmet, and Sisseton.  After returning home, Leon began his career in the Federal Government. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service in various positions until 1986 when he retired. He began custom seeding and provided help with many miscellaneous farm and community related positions.

Leon was a member, Trustee and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He served on the Roberts County Soil Conservation District Board for 30 years. He was elected as a Roberts County Commissioner and served on the Northeast Council of Government while in that capacity. He was a strong advocate and instrumental in bringing Britton Day Marshall (BDM) rural water to Roberts County. He was an active leader in the V.F.W. and served as the Commander at the Fort Sisseton V.F.W. Post #3342. He was also active in the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Lions Club, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Sisseton Volunteer Fire Department and many more committees and events. He was a devoted Minnesota Twins fan. His love for the land was evident in his knowledge of trees, land and water conservation. He loved being with Norma, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was known for his quick wit and ability to make conversations with anyone. Many will remember his infamous dog bark. He enjoyed dancing, listening to music (polka was a favorite), reading the local newspapers and magazines.

Leon is survived by his wife Norma of 66 years; three daughters Colleen Palmer, Yankton, SD; Penny (Steve) Robinson, Brookings, SD; Lori (Clayton) Moen, Sisseton, SD; eight grandchildren; Brianne (Brady) VanderLeest, Harrisburg, SD; Garrett (Lee) Clancy, Keller, TX; Erin (Austin) Knutson, Volga, SD; Kyle (Beth) Robinson, Brookings, SD; Chad (Jessi) Robinson, Brookings, SD; Kate (Wyatt) Hatter, Sidney, MT; Karla (Cody) Schultz, Hitchcock, SD; Karyn Moen, Hebron, ND; and 17 great grandchildren. They also took under their wing Julie (Tankoff) Kaiser, Eagan, MN her children, Ashley (Dan) Palmer, Minneapolis, MN; and Travis Kaiser, Champlain, MN and two grandchildren; He is also survived by two sisters Arlene Jockheck, Sioux Falls, SD; his twin sister, Lois (Roger) Kouf, Watertown, SD; one brother Dallas (Sandy) Palmer, Wolsey, SD; three sister in-laws Ruby (Gary) Huggett, Webster, SD; Eveyln Ost, Basset, NE and special friend Gordon Marzahn; Delores Cockrell, Chadron, NE and one brother in-law Harry (Mary Ann) Cockrell, Magna, UT; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son Kevin L. Palmer, three brothers and their wives; and one sister; seven brother in-laws and two sister in-laws.

Family is asking memorials to be made by planting a tree and/or supporting a local community organization.