Leighton Will, 97, Albert Lea

Published 10:35 am Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Memorial services for Leighton E. Will, 97, of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Leighton died on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea.

Leighton Will

Leighton E. Will was born on Aug. 20, 1915, in Freeborn County, the son of Hugo and Clara (Virchow) Will. He lived his entire life in Freeborn County, attended District 77 grade school and graduated from Albert Lea High School. Leighton attended and was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. On June 5, 1941, he was united in marriage to Marguerite Turbett at the Gordonsville Methodist Church. He later joined the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. Leighton was a member and past president of the Albert Lea Eagles Club, a past president of the Fifth District Eagles, and a member of the Moose Lodge and the Elks Club. He also was a past member of the Freeborn/Faribault County Mental Health Board, an adviser for Explorer Post No. 1, and a Sunday school teacher. Leighton enjoyed traveling and fishing.

Survivors include his children, Larry (Carolyn) Will and Deanne (Harold) Kuchera; grandchildren, Allan (Sara) Kuchera, Alisa (Nathan) Niesen, Deborah (James Fredrickson) Will and Matthew (Tammie) Will; great-grandchildren, Samuel, Ben, Matt, Emma, Jack and Mason; and several nieces and nephews.

Leighton was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Edwin, Lorenz and Harold; and his grandson Leighton Will-Fredrickson.