Leo Frank Desjarlait Sr.

Leo Frank Desjarlait Sr.

(July 24, 1915 - July 11, 2014)

"Waasa'Inini-Far Away Man" Leo Frank Desjarlait Sr., 98, of Red Lake, MN, died Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Red Lake Hospital in Red Lake.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake, MN with Father Jerry Rogers officiating. A wake will begin at 1:00pm, Monday, July 14, 2014 at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake, MN, and will continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

He was born on July 24, 1915, in Red Lake, MN, the son of Solomon and Lizette (Blake) Desjarlait. He was raised in Red Lake. He served in the US Navy during WWII, as an assistant to Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher in the Aleutian islands, aboard the USS Panamint, and in Japan as part of the occupation forces. He was Honorably Discharged in 1945. When he returned to Red Lake he was hired as the first police officer because of his military service. He married Ramona Elizabeth Cook in Red Lake. He worked for the Red Lake Saw Mill for many years until his retirement at the age of 63. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake, the Clearbrook VFW, and American Legion. He enjoyed watching sports on TV.

He is survived by: Step-Children, Gloria Cobenais of Red Lake, MN, Robert D. Cook of Bemidji, MN, Children, Charolette K. Greene of Blaine, MN, Leo Desjarlait Jr. of Red Lake, Fred Desjarlait Sr. of Red Lake, Donald Desjarlait of Red Lake, Arlen Desjarlait of Red Lake, David Desjarlait of Red Lake Sharon Cook of Colorado, Adrienne Champayne of Kansas, Amy Desjarlait of Red Lake, Randall Desjarlait of Redby, Douglas Desjarlait of Red Lake Owen Beaulieu of Turtle River, MN, Sister, Gloria Desjarlait of Red Lake, Numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great-Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, step-daughter Shirley (Cook) Burgoon, step-son Reginald Lawrence, sons, Brian Desjarlait, Stuart Desjarlait, daughters Kathleen Desjarlait, Gabriella Stillday, Eleanor Desjarlait, brothers Francis, Patrick, Simon, Myron, LaVerne, John, Alfred, Herb Mountain, Arthur Schoenborn, sisters Lorena Hanson, Gladys Desjarlait, Olive Neadeau, Loretta King, Mary Barrett, and Rose Barrett.

Condolences may be left at http://www.ceasefuneralhome.com.