Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, November 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD

Service: Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Canton, SD.

Leonard Frank Block, Sr., age 88, died Monday, October 30, 2023 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Canton, SD. Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, November 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

Leonard was born on August 23, 1935 in Grenville, SD to Frank and Eva (Sichmeller) Block. Leonard attended school at Grenville Catholic School. As a young man, Leonard showed up on an Indian Motorcycle to take his future wife, Joyce Foster, on their first date. They were married on August 21, 1954 in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple moved to a farm south of Canton, SD in the early 1960’s to raise their 5 children.

In addition to farming his entire life, Leonard worked as a mechanic for 25 years. He also raised pigs and cattle through the years. Leonard was a strong-willed, hardworking man with a big heart. He loved red tractors, Cadilliac cars, Dodge pickups, farming, and his family. Even when his body began to fail him, he remained an active part of the farm operation. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed playing cards and, in his younger years, dancing. He was also a long-time member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce; sons, Rick (Mary) Block, Randy (Lori) Block, Mike (Debbie) Block, and Lenny Jr. (Patti) Block; daughter, Lynnette (Bart) West; 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a great-great grandchild due soon; sisters, Angie Reiter and Artilda Haffner; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Mullinix; sister-in-law, Donna Foster; and brothers-in-law, Ken Mullinix, Richard Reiter, and Don Haffner.