Eldon George Leino

About Eldon

Eldon George Leino, 80, of Bemidji, MN left us unexpectedly on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Born February 6th, 1942 to Eino and Ellen Leino, he grew up in Squaw Lake, Minnesota working at the family resort helping with maintenance of the resort cabins, a store and dance hall. He attended Blackduck High School and was very active in sports earning 15 letters between football, basketball, track and baseball, graduating in 1960. Attending Bemidji State Teachers College, now BSU, he was on the track team and the starting running back for the football team and known as the Flying Finn. He earned his degree in Biological Science and Elementary Education in 1967, going on to get his master’s degree in education in 1973.

Eldon was an elementary teacher, teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade at East Grand Forks from 1967 until he retired in 2000.

Eldon was very active with the Masonic Lodge and Shriners, being a member for 50 years, earning the Masonic Hiram Walker award and becoming part of the Shriner’s 100 Million Dollar Club. Known as “the Hug Guy” or “Mr. Hugs”, he always gave people a hug when seeing them or meeting new people. He had the incredible gift to gab and would talk with everyone and anyone making friends effortlessly. Always quick with a dry sarcastic remark, an anecdote or story that usually had some lesson.

He wanted to live his life living and did his best to live by that motto, rolling into the last days enjoying his life. Eldon and his college roommate, Drew Larson, started spending the 4th of July in 1964 together and were able to repeat that for every year other than two for the past 58 years.

Eldon and his first wife, Sue Ellen Cross, had a daughter, Shelley. Later, Eldon was married to Lynda Kaye Ostrem on July 19th, 1969 at a private ceremony at the Leino’s resort and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this past summer. Together they have 2 sons; Drew, born in 1970, and Dan, born in 1973.

Eldon is survived by his wife Lynda, his 3 children Shelley (Steve), Drew and Daniel, his 8 grandchildren, Eliot and Olivia Berven, Madison and Christian Tull, Harper, Ella, Josiah and Marcus Leino and his brother, Bruce (Sandy) Leino and numerous nieces and nephews.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Eldon

August 27, 2022

Cease Family Funeral Home 2807 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA

There will be an hour of visitation before the service. The service will be followed with a celebration of life at the Keg and Cork in the lower level. Interment at a later date will be in the Turtle River Township-South Arm Cemetery in Bemidji, MN.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home