Leon Boulanger

Leon Edward Boulanger 53, of Two Harbors, died unexpectedly, Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors.

He was born February 5, 1957 to Loren and MaryAnn (Jeppson) Boulanger in Two Harbors. Leon grew up and graduated from high school in Two Harbors, where he was a three sport letterman in track, basketball, and football. Leon enlisted in the Marines where he served for 12 years. In that time he graduated from Marine Recon School, and Mountain Warfare School and earned his Rifle Marksman Badge, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Letter of Appreciation, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Mast. Leon was also stationed in Beirut, Lebanon during the 1983 barracks bombing.

He was honorably discharged in January of 1988 as a staff sergeant. He returned to the US and lived in Hawaii for a few years before returning to Two Harbors. He married Kelly Riley on July 22, 2007 in Two Harbors. Leon worked at the Vanilla Bean and the Little Store, and was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed brook trout fishing, partridge hunting, deer hunting at the hunting shack, watching his special niece Mara swim for the Two Harbors Agates Swim Team, and spending time with his two cats and his dog, Britty.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Loren Boulanger and MaryAnn Hanson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kelly of Two Harbors, daughter Katherine Sakamoto of Hawaii; brothers, Loren of Ft. Smith, AK, Mark (Joann) of Two Harbors, Marty (Dawn) of Menomine Falls, WI, and John Hanson of Houston, Texas; step-father, Dale Hanson of Two Harbors, and nieces and nephew, Mara, Brooke, Paige, Mikayla, Jessica, Shawna, and Cristiano.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM Memorial Service Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the United Church of Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.