Ordell Conrad Leines

Ordell Conrad Leines passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.

Born in Bear Park Township, Norman County, Minnesota, Ordell was the son of William and Alma (Ystenes) Leines. He grew up on the family farm, went to Oak Grove Country School, and graduated from Gary High School in 1955. After graduation, he worked construction until 1957. Ordell met Sonja Olson through a connection between their siblings Butch and Marlene that same year.

Ordell spent two seasons, from spring 1957 to summer 1959, working for Pittsburgh Steel Company as a deck hand on the ore boats sailing the Great Lakes. Ordell was drafted into the U.S. Army in the summer of 1959. After basic training, he married Sonja on October 9, 1959 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN. Ordell was then sent to Germany where he worked in missile operations. Sonja joined him in 1960 and spent 9 months living in a small German village a mile from the Army base.

Ordell was discharged in 1961, and Ordell and Sonja moved to Fargo, ND, where he worked for the Jackson Company building houses. In 1962, he joined the Moorhead fire department and they relocated to Moorhead, MN. Over the years, he rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief and retired with 32 years of service in 1993. He would often show up at his children’s sporting events in uniform, doing everything he could so he could attend.

During his time off-duty from the fire department, Ordell drove semi-trucks and worked for Wright Awning Company. He always supported his family through hard work and reliability.

In 1998, Ordell and Sonja moved to Woodbury, Minnesota and in 2003 moved to Chanhassen, MN, to be near children and grandchildren.

There are many things for which Ordell will be remembered. He was an ardent woodworker, creating everything from furniture to intricate bowls and even violins. His “dizzy bowls” were especially admired for their craftsmanship. Nearly every family member owns one of his creations. Ordell was also a gifted guitarist and singer who often played Hank Williams or Johnny Cash at home or with his father William when he was young.

Ordell is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Sonja; sons Brian (Lee) Leines and Kevin (Christina) Leines; daughter Sandi (Mark Thornton) Leines; grandchildren Jordan Leines, Greta Leines, Claire Leines, Madeline (Neal) Sutton, Andrew (Micaela Gerhardt) Leines, Jack Henry Leines, Joseph Huderle, and Sarah Huderle; and great-grandson Leif Sutton. He is also survived by sisters Priscilla Monson, Angela Svenby, and Patricia Skatvold, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alma; brothers Wallace and LeRoy Leines; sisters Lyla Christianson and Marlene Olson; sisters-in-law Pauline Leines and Jackie Leines; and brothers-in-law Stanley Christianson, Arvid Monson, Jerome ("Butch") Olson, and Arden Svenby.

Ordell’s funeral will be held on September 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Faaberg Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN. Interment and lunch will immediately follow.

memorial service

Funeral Service

September 20, 2025

Faaberg Lutheran Church 4391 340th Ave, Fertile, MN 56540, USA

Interment & lunch following funeral service.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services