Leif N. Eidsness, age 104, of Henry, S.D. passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Avantara Clark Nursing Home. Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vienna, S.D. Pastor Colin Beveridge will officiate.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. and prior to services at the church on Sunday.
Burial will be at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, rural Henry, S.D. Honorary pallbearers will be Leif's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the staff at Avantara Clark Nursing Home.
Leif Norman Eidsness was born on April 4, 1921 in Henry, S.D. to Ole and Anna (Mjos) Eidsness. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in rural Henry High School in 1939. He attended one year at Northern State College. Leif taught country school for a short time before he moved to California working for a riveting plant and then moved to Alaska working for a construction company at an airbase.
In November of 1942, he returned to home to farm, which he did his entire life until he semiretired in 1986. Leif loved farming, especially raising oats, wheat, flax and taking care of cattle and hogs. He was never afraid of hard work, as many warm summer days were spent hauling in bales. Even in semi-retirement, he remained active on the farm and managed his own herd of cattle. He sold his last cow at the age of 90.
On June 6, 1956, Leif married Callie Lou Rider. The couple raised three children, Myron (Diane) Eidsness of Henry, Becky (Jeff) Barthel of Watertown and Joe (Sue) Eidsness of St. Louis, Mo.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was proud of his Norwegian heritage. Growing up, they spoke Norwegian at home. When he was able to visit with someone that spoke Norwegian, he could speak it very fluently after many years of not speaking it.
His Christian faith was very important to him. He sang in a men's quartet and sang in the church choir for many years. He served on the church council and was the janitor of the church for many years.
He enjoyed the last 19 months at the Avantara Clark Nursing Home with the resident and staff.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti.
