Leo Walter Eiden

Eiden, Leo Walter

Leo was born March 20, 1928, at home in Holdingford, MN in Stearns County, and graduated Holdingford HS in 1946 with athletic letters in baseball. He entered the Navy in 1946-1948 training as a radio technician repairing radio equipment on Corsair aircraft. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy Leo attended Dunwoody College of Technology where he studied to be a Machinist.

In 1951 Leo was hired directly out of Dunwoody by General Mills as a Machinist in their Research and Development department serving 35 years, retiring in 1986 as Research and Development Machine Shop Supervisor. In 1952 Leo married the love of his life, Gean (Nelson). Together they had 7 children.

Leo and Gean were members of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church with Leo’s membership lasting 73 years. In retirement Leo enjoyed working on antique tractors and steam engines through his membership in the Nowthen Historical Power Association. He played a key role in the restoration and commissioning of the Steamboat Minnehaha with the Minnesota Transportation Museum where he also served as Steam Engineer on excursions when the boat was operational. Leo also enjoyed restoring and riding his 1938 Harley Davidson motorcycle, an interest he shared with his older brother, John.

Preceded in death by his loving wife of 31 years, Gean, Father Walter, Mother Christine, Father-in-law Johan (Lee) Nelson, Mother-in-law Alice Nelson, siblings; Alphonse, Sister-in-law Arlene, Esther, Brother-in-law Art, John, Lois, Brother-in-law Joe, George, Sister-in-law Rosie, Mona, Brother-in-law Milton, Kathleen, Sheila, Son-in-law Jim Kerr.

Survived by Children; Carol Kerr (Jim), Kevin (Julie), Rita, Allen (Jana), Mark (Lisa), Kurt, Leo (Lee) (Sarah), 16 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, Siblings; Glen (Ardith), Margie, Ellen (Ken Loegering), Warren (Bernice), Sister-in-law Annette (John).

Visitation 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday, February 2, 2026, at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 3888 West Broadway Avenue, Robbinsdale 55422. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Church of Saint Raphael, 7301 Bass Lake Road, Crystal 55428. Visitation one hour prior to Funeral Mass at church. Interment Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope.