Vernon "Vern" D. Leitch
March 12, 1934 – November 12, 2026
Vernon “Vern” Leitch (92) of Sartell, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 12th, surrounded by his loving family.
Details on a celebration of life service will follow shortly and will be posted at BensonFuneralHome.com. A private interment will be held at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls.
Vern was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on March 12th, 1934, to Willmar and Alice (Skalstad) Leitch. The youngest of four children, he attended a one-room country school through eighth grade and graduated from Underwood High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Army, where he completed basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, before serving overseas as a sergeant, analyzing radio traffic in Germany.
Upon returning to Underwood in 1955, he enrolled at Moorhead State University to study mathematics. A year later, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Hagen, and the real adventure began.
He and Mary Ann raised four children, moving 15 times in 14 years, while Vern earned his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and his doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.
Vern taught high school in Barrett and Hibbing before becoming a tenured mathematics education professor at Saint Cloud State University (SCSU), where he spent 30 years preparing future generations of educators. He was also instrumental in starting the faculty union at SCSU and serving as its president.
He was an avid outdoorsman, first-rate bridge player, devoted SCSU Husky basketball fan, and loved nothing more than getting everyone involved to build yet another project at the family cabin in Backus. He was a dedicated volunteer in his St. Cloud church community, often serving as the resident handyman and regularly serving meals to the homeless.
Above all, Vern put his family first. He prioritized gatherings with his children and their spouses, cheered on his grandchildren at countless sporting events and concerts, and delighted in every cuddle with his great-grandchildren.
Vern and Mary Ann celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on August 31st, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mary Ann, Vern is survived by his four children and their spouses, Elizabeth Leitch-Sell (Chuck Sell, Jr.), Gayle Kelly (Jack Kelly), Steve Leitch (Jenifer Leitch), and Laurie Leitch (Bill Gorcica); six grandchildren and their spouses; six great-grandchildren; his brother, Willmar Leitch; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Vern is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Deloris Jacobson; his brother, Wilfred (Biff) Leitch; and his great-granddaughter, Myah Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be directed to Country Manor Foundation, Atonement Lutheran Church, SCSU Foundation, or District 742 LEAF.