Leonard Garness, 90 - Hub City Radio

Services for Leonard Garness, 90, of Sun City West, Arizona and formerly of Groton will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1st at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. Pastor Mike Kampa will officiate. Burial with military honors will be held in Union Cemetery, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel on Friday from 5-7 p.m.

Leonard passed away February 14, 2025, at Aria Ranch Assisted Living Center in Surprise, Arizona following a brief illness.

Leonard Eugene was born in Carthage, SD on December 2, 1934 to Olaf and Mabel (Sneesby) Garness. He attended and graduated from Carthage High School continuing his education at South Dakota State University. He took a break in his education to join the US army and was stationed in Chicago during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he returned to his education at Northern State Teacher’s College where he met his future wife, Sheila Paetznick. He transferred to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for Geological Engineering. He nearly completed his engineering degree when he changed the direction of his education and chose to attend Worsham’s School of Mortuary Science with intentions to run the family business. After receiving his mortuary science degree, the couple purchased the Paetznick Funeral Home and Furniture Store, changing the name to Paetznick-Garness Funeral Home and Furniture Store.

He was united in marriage with Sheila Ann Paetznick on June 15, 1959 and the couple made their home in Groton. Leonard, along with Sheila devoting their time to their family, friends, the furniture store, and the funeral home. They especially enjoyed the time they spent with family and friends at their lake cabin on Enemy Swim Lake, where they retired in 1999. Leonard and Sheila eventually began wintering in Sun City West, Arizona, where he spent much of his free time on the golf courses.

Leonard was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served on the Groton City Council. He was a member of the South Dakota Funeral Directors Association, where he served as district president multiple times and was awarded a lifetime membership in 2016. He was part of the committee that helped to bring the swimming pool to the Groton community and enjoyed investing in the future of the community and surrounding area. He was a member of the Groton Legion, Groton Kiwanis Club, a charter member of Olive Grove Golf Course, a member of the Valley View Country Club in Sisseton, and in Sun City West, AZ he enjoyed golfing with the Old Duffer’s Golf League, the Heat Seekers Golf League, and the Stardust Golf League. Leonard enjoyed his time at Enemy Swim Lake, golfing, fishing, boating, visiting and entertaining family and friends.

Celebrating his life are his children, Leigh Ann (Randy) Giedt of Sun City West, Arizona; Patty Garness of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charlie (Ken) Klauer of Blacksburg, Virginia; Thor (Emily) Garness of Lakeville, Minnesota, and six grandchildren: Jim (Erin) Giedt, Nicholas (Sadie Stoumen) Giedt, Garreth Klauer, Samantha, Allie, and Thorson Garness. One great-grandson Riley James Giedt, and expecting one great-grandson. Leonard is also survived by sister-in-law Jessie Garness of Mitchell, South Dakota, several nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Sheila, of 52 years, his parents Olaf and Mabel Garness, 2 brothers Roger and Dennis Garness, his sister Carolyn Garness, sisters -in-law Alice Garness and Sondra Odland and brother-in-law Winston Odland, 1 niece, 2 great nephews.

Honorary Casketbearers are all of Leonard’s friends.

Casketbearers are Jim Giedt, Nicholas Giedt, Garreth Klauer, Bryant Odland, Gary Petersen, and Robb Roettele.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.