Leon Joseph Pick

   Leon Joseph Pick, 78, passed away on February 23, 2023, at the Lyons Care Facility in Rock Rapids, IA.   Leon was born to Leonard and Arlene (Fath) Pick on June 4, 1944, in Lismore, MN.  He attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and Adrian High School.  As a young man, Leon played baseball and softball for Lismore, while working on the family farm.  He was active in the Lismore 4H Club for ten years and was a junior leader.  Leon won several trips to the Minnesota State Fair due to his 4H exhibits.
   After high school he attended and graduated from Worthington Junior College and received a BA degree from the University of Sioux Falls. Leon began his teaching career at Hills-Beaver Creek and taught English and social studies for thirty-one years.  He also started Pick Painting in 1968 and ran that business for thirty-eight years.  His son, Dan worked with him for several years.  He was an elected leader of his teacher profession for twenty-three years, including 6 years as chairman of MEA’s State Negotiation Council and 6 years as a member of MEA’s Board of Directors.  Leon was named HBC Teacher of the Year twice.  In 1986 he was a state finalist in the Teacher of the Year contest.
   Leon was treasurer of the Rock County DFL for 6 years and also treasurer for the Minnesota Sixth District DFL (26 counties) for 6  years.  He ran several legislature campaigns in Southwest Minnesota and was a co-coordinator for Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
   Leon was a member and officer of the Luverne Eagles 3403.  He was the local secretary and was re-elected state secretary in 2005.  Leon was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne and a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.  He was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Marshall.  He and his wife Mary started L&M Housing in 1988 and was a real estate salesperson.
   Leon enjoyed being with his wife Mary, watching the Twins, Yankee’s and Vikings.  He liked being with friends at their Lake Benton cabin and traveling, especially to Las Vegas and Hawaii.
   Leon is survived by his wife Mary.  Children: Daniel (Diane) of Luverne, Julie (Craig) Becker of Sioux Falls and Jackie Pick of Sioux Falls.  Stepchildren: Rob (Holli) Arp of Jackson and Jodi (Jason) Bosch of Luverne.  Grandchildren:  Thomas and Sydney Becker of Sioux Falls.  Step-Grandchildren:  Nicholas and Kayla Arp of Jackson and Cole (Bryan) Bosch of Jefferson, Gracie (Erik) Ode of Brandon, SD and Luke Bosh of Luverne. Great Step Grandchild: James Bosch.  One brother Duane (Jana) Pick of Edgerton.  
   He was proceeded in death by his parents Leonard and Arlene Pick.

   Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 9:30 am to 11 am at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Funeral Mass will be 11 am Tuesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Monsignor Gerald Kosse and Deacon Kevin Aaker. Burial will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leon Joseph Pick, please visit our floral store.