Leslie "Les" Benhard Sydow

About Les

Leslie “Les” Benhard Sydow, 89, of Blackduck, MN passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Les was born on November 30, 1932 in Hines, MN, the son of Frank and Stella (Young) Sydow. He attended the Hines Country School. In October of 1955 he married Viola Morris and in December of 1956 he entered the US Army. After returning from active duty he farmed in Hines until 1966. They then moved to Fridley, MN where he worked for Federal Cartridge for a few years.

In 1969, they decided to return to Hines and he went to work for Northwestern Bell in Bemidji, retiring in 1991. Viola passed away in August of 1983 and Les married Betty (Ferdig) Swedberg in Roswell, NM in 1984.

Les attended and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Blackduck, and also attended the Evangelical Free Church in Blackduck with his wife Betty.

He was a past member of the American Legion Post #372. Les enjoyed fishing, hunting, fishing, drinking coffee with family and friends, fishing, polkas and many other types of music. He enjoyed playing his accordion, watching westerns, and did we say fishing?

Les was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Stella Sydow; 3 sisters, Grace Victorino, June Rollogas, and Annette Andreas; 3 brothers, Ross, Bernard, and Vernon Sydow; and his first wife, Viola (Morris) Sydow.

He is survived by his wife Betty of Blackduck, MN; sisters, Jeannette Ferdig of Blackduck, MN; Isabell Potter and Lillibell Sydow of Omaha, NE; a son, Jeffrey (Nancy) Sydow of Hines, MN; 2 daughters, Cynthia (Gary) Pederson of Bemidji, MN and Julie Grotberg of Blackduck, MN; a step-daughter, Tamera Weber of Minneapolis, MN; 3 step-sons, Kandall (Pamela) Swedberg of Soldotna, AK, Reginald (Joy) Swedberg of North Pole, AK, and Torry Swedberg of Blackduck, MN; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.

memorial service

Funeral Services for Les

October 3, 2022

Faith Lutheran Church 481 4th St NE, Blackduck, MN 56630, USA

Pastor Michael Flechsig will be officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery following the service with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #372 of Blackduck.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home