Leslie Nettum

Leslie Harlan Nettum, 78, Lake Park, MN passed away peacefully at home June 28, 2024. Les was born in Fargo, N.D. on Jan. 14, 1946 to Hjalmar and Hilma (Salle) Nettum. He was raised on the family farm in rural Kindred, ND and attended school there. He was a proud Kindred Viking and excelled in numerous sports. He attended Sunday School and was confirmed in Christiania Lutheran Church. Les was an active Boy Scout, achieved the Eagle Award and was honored with the Pro Deo et Patria. Les attended NDSU, Fargo, majoring in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science. He was a member of the Concert Choir and was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He was also a member of Saddle and Sirloin and had a blast acting as the clown for two years at the Little International Rodeo. Les married Mary Nybakken on June 21, 1968 at First Lutheran Church, Fargo. The couple moved to Buxton/Reynolds, ND where he accepted the position of Agriculture Instructor at the Central Valley School, Buxton, ND, and later held the same position at Finley, ND High School. He was an active member of Finley-Lutheran Church and the Jaycees, President of the Community Club, and a volunteer firefighter. He joined the Citizen’s State Bank of Finley, ND in 1976 as loan officer and manager of the bank’s Insurance Agency. He discovered a real passion in selling and soon owned a portion of the bank’s agency. He had a dedication to the industry being a lifelong learner and significantly expanded the agency across several states. This passion resulted in becoming the ND State Professional Insurance Agent of the year of which he served on numerous state boards. He eventually owned the majority interest in Viking Insurance, Mayville, ND. In 2002, Les and Mary moved to their beloved lake home on Leaf Lake near Detroit Lakes, MN. Being the salesman he was, he couldn’t sit back and retire, so he developed a booming insurance business in lake country. There was nothing he liked better than meeting and serving his clients! He eventually retired at age 75. Les will be most remembered for his powerful baritone voice. He has sung at over 200 funerals, numerous weddings and performed at countless celebrations and events. He considered his ability to sing as his ministry. Les loved the outdoors and relished hunting and fishing trips. His Canadian fishing trips were always memorable, and he brought back many stories and pictures. Hunting was always a priority, but his proudest moment was bagging that elusive elk on his last trip to Wyoming. His green thumb was always evident in his beautiful flower gardens. A favorite hobby of Les was as a collector of cars and pickups. His pride and joy was his 1971 El Camino which was transformed into a show car, winning numerous awards. He was an active member of Cormorant Lutheran Church and sang in a variety of gospel groups. He was honored to be appointed Chaplain of the Cormorant Lions. His greatest love and joy was his family and always made it known to them how proud he was. He treasured family vacations and gatherings at his lake home. Grateful for having shared his life is his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary. Blessed to be his children are Stacy (Mark) Haverkamp, Aberdeen, SD, Lisa (J.R.) Hughes, Naperville, IL and Travis (Jill Sikkink) Nettum, Rogers, MN; his treasured grandchildren, Courtney Haverkamp, Brady Haverkamp, Aria Hughes and Riley Hughes. Les is also survived by his sister, Francile (Don) Nelson, Casselton, ND and sister-in-law, Joanne Tonn, Pelican Rapids, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hjalmar and Hilma Nettum and two brothers, Mark Nettum and Galen Nettum and Mary’s parents, Odvar and Esther Nybakken. Memorials can be directed to Cormorant Lions and Marshmallow Foundation of Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be from 5-6pm with a prayer service to follow at 6pm Friday, July 5 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Visitation will continue from 10-11am followed by the memorial service at 11am Saturday, July 6 at Cormorant Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN. Interment will follow the service and lunch at 3pm at Christiania Cemetery, Kindred, ND. Memories and online condolences may be shared by visiting www.hansonrunsvold.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND