Leo Eugene Perisian, 83, formerly of Aldrich, Deer Creek and Ottertail, passed away Nov. 7, 2007, with his wife at his side after enduring lingering health problems.
He was born Jan. 19, 1924, in Aldrich, to Emil and Lena (Hammes) Perisian. He attended elementary school in Aldrich and graduated from Staples High School in 1941. He attended the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, graduating in 1942. He worked as a milk tester in Northfield after graduating.
He served in the Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. When he was discharged, he and Bill Adams started a garage and parts store in Wadena. In 1948, he built a new building at the east end of Wadena and had new and used cars, a parts garage and a Surge Milker Dealership. Later he owned and operated Chief Manufacturing where be built horse trailers and L-C Ranch. He also served as the county assessor and later in life, worked at the Thief River Falls Aviation School.
In 1967, he married Carol Ann Hanebuth in Deer Creek. They lived on the Ottertail cut-off. They later lived in Grand Marais, Minn., and Red Lake Falls, Minn. After retirement the couple moved to Florida.
He lived life to the fullest and embraced new challenges. His true passion was caring for animals and during his lifetime that included Irish Setter dogs, cats, Galacino horses, Llamas and peacocks. He loved hunting, guiding, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, gardening, flying airplanes and being involved in clubs and organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, Wadena Rotary Club, Deer Trails Saddle Club, and the Ambulance Crew. In his retirement, he remained active by maintaining long-time hobbies like playing cards, enjoying billiards with his "pool buddies," his veteran's groups, cooking, and there was never a book far from his hands as he had a voracious appetite for reading.
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Survivors include his wife, Carol, of Florida; son, Jon Perisian of Red Lake Falls; daughter, Cherie Perisian (Saidi Simba) of Eagle Lake; former daughter-in-law, Deb Perisian, of Red Lake Falls; three grandchildren; sister Elvira "Sis" (Mel) Hansen of Richville; sister-in-law Margaret (Gerald) Zeise of Deer Creek; mother-in-law, Aleda Hanebuth Monson, of New York Mills; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
