Leland Saga

Leland Saga, age 91, of Mentor, MN, passed away on Monday (August 1st) at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday (August 4th) at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor with the Rev. Michael Sletto officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday (August 3rd) and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday, all at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor. Military honors will be conducted by the Vanderwaal-Lusty American Legion Post #421 of Mentor. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Leland Henry Saga was born on April 21, 1920 in Woodside Township to Torkel and Julia (Tvedt) Saga. He attended rural schools in the area and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He worked in the CCC Camp near Cass Lake and joined the Army in 1942. As a member of the First Army 3rd Armored Division he participated in the Battle of the Bulge during the invasion of Germany in WWII. During this time he received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1946.He married Valora Bratton in 1948 and made their home in Mentor. Together they had eight children.In 1947, Leland started well drilling with Gilbert Gudmunson and, in 1948, established Saga Well Drilling in Mentor where he worked until his retirement at age 70.During retirement he enjoyed following Minnesota Twins baseball and spending time with his family. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, a Charter Member of the McIntosh V.F.W. Post #6891 and an active member of the Vanderwaal-Lusty American Legion Post #421 of Mentor.Leland died peacefully on Monday, August 1, 2011 at Riverview Hospital in Crookston with family by his side at the age of 91 years, three months and 11 days.Survivors include one sister, Minerva Schanzten of Warren, MN; son-in-law, James Payment of Mentor; children, Michael (Sue) Gustafson of Rochester, MN, Milford (Lorna) Gustafson of Little Fork, MN, Linda Rodela of Shakopee, MN, John Rodela of Indianapolis, IN, Julie Brookshire of Halstad, MN, Leland S. "Bim" (Carol) Saga of Fertile, MN, Tom (Patrick Lockwood) Saga of Bemidji, MN, Alan (Sandy Embretson) Saga of Mentor, Shirley (Don) Simonson of Mentor, Tim (Phyllis) Saga of Bemidji, MN, Lorene (Ken) Grant of Atlanta, GA; 25 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; one sister; his wife, Valora; step daughter, Berdie Payment; sons-in-law, Glen Brookshire and Kim Olson; granddaughters, Carol Brookshire, Jill Rodela, and Kathy Cherf, and great grandson, James Halstensgard.Pallbearers will be Leland's grandsons, Eric Gustafson, Kory Gustafson, Tony Gustafson, Brett Gustafson, Joe Rodela, Dan Rodela, and Jason Brookshire.