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Rev. Leonard Fox

Deceased: 2010-06-19

Diocese: SIOUX FALLS

ICTE Fall: 1990

Fr. Leonard David Fox, 82, most recently residing in Elk Point, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point.

Fr. Leonard Fox was a priest of the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese for over 55 years, where he spent his ministry sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of eastern and southern South Dakota.

Fr. Leonard Fox was born to Albert and Margaret (Kranz) Fox on April 7, 1928, in Watertown,S.D.He attendedWatertownCatholicSchoolfor eight years and received his “calling” to serve the Lord at an early age. He studied for four years at St. John’s in Collegeville, Minn.; two years at Nazareth Hall in St. Paul, Minn., six years at St. Paul Major Seminary and graduated on April 24, 1955.

Fr. Fox was known for his compassion, wry wit, love of nature, and his talent for meeting people “where they were at” in life and leading them toward Jesus. A biblical scholar, Fr. Fox had a passion for telling the “story behind the story” in the Bible. He particularly enjoyed telling people of the customs and traditions of the Bible times so they could better understand the verses and Gospels.

Fr. Leonard Fox shared his faith and led parishes in these communities: Parkston/Tripp, five years; Farmer/Spencer, eight years; Elton/Aurora, six years; Elk Point/Garryowen, six years; Hoven, four years; Parker/Lennox, three years; and Vermillion, five years. He retired to a home in Vermillion in 1998 and moved to Wel-Life in Elk Point in 2005, where he resided until he moved toPrairieEstatesCareCenterin Elk Point.

Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he celebrated life through prayer, laughter, hunting, fishing and family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; and three sisters.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2010, at St. Agnes Catholic Church,416 S. Walker St., in Vermillion.

Burial site will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery inWatertownapproximately at 3:30 p.m.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, at St. Agnes, with a 7 p.m. wake service followed by a 7:30 p.m. rosary service.

Iverson-Siecke-Kober Funeral Home in Vermillion is directing the arrangements.