Leo Karl Klave

Leo Karl Klave

July 7, 1931 – July 26, 2025

Leo Karl Klave, 94, of Walker, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025, at the Neilson Place Nursing Home in Bemidji. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a native son of North Dakota, and a man deeply connected to his Polish heritage, Leo led a life marked by devotion to family, service, and community.

Born on July 7, 1931, in Minto, North Dakota, Leo was the son of Leo L. Klave and Isabel C. Klave. He shared a close lifelong friendship with Leonard Wysocki, with whom he enjoyed many adventures and worked numerous jobs in the Minto area. Both were proud members of the Minto High School basketball team.

Leo met the love of his life, Alexia “Al” Schanilec, during their high school years, and the two were often seen dancing to big bands at local pavilions. They were married on June 9, 1952, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Vesleyville, North Dakota.

Shortly after their marriage, Leo was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training in San Diego, California, and was later transferred to air traffic control school in Kansas. He served the remainder of his military career at the Quantico Marine installation in Virginia, where he worked as a control tower operator and air/sea rescue supervisor. He rose to the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Leo returned to Minto before moving his growing family to Minneapolis in 1956, where he began a long and respected career with Northwestern National Bank. Starting as a teller, he quickly advanced through various positions including Commercial Teller Supervisor, Assistant Collection Manager, General Services Manager, and ultimately Word Processing Manager, where he led a staff of 35.

Leo and Alexia raised five children: Gregory Lee (Minneapolis), Timothy Jon (Minneapolis), Andrea Lynn (Los Angeles, CA), Anthony Leo (Walker), and Robert Michael (Minneapolis). In 2004, Leo and Alexia retired to their beloved lake home on Walker Bay, Leech Lake, where they welcomed family and friends for years of fishing, hunting, and sharing memories. He especially cherished time spent with his four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A man of deep faith and patriotism, Leo was an active supporter of the Walker American Legion and a devoted member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He and Alexia shared a love of travel and adventure, exploring the United States with their family, often visiting national parks and historical landmarks.

Leo will be remembered for his kind heart, strong work ethic, unwavering devotion to his loved ones, and his ability to bring people together with warmth and humor.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Leo will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Walker MN with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. At a later date.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.northernpeace.com.

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