Leonard Maurice Toftely

Leonard (Len) Maurice Toftely, age 72, died on May 1, 2016 at the Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was born to Maurice L. and Beryl A. (Ebersviller) Toftely in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota in 1943, where he spent his childhood. In 1954, he moved with his family to Riverton, Wyoming where he attended school until his family again relocated to Billings, Montana in 1958. He enlisted in the US Army in 1960. As a soldier stationed in Germany, he met his future wife, Monique Besancon. Monique accompanied him back home to Montana where they were married in 1963. Their daughter, Noreen, was born in Helena, Montana a year later. Len and Monique lived in Montana for several years before they decided to move to Cannes, France to be close to Monique's family. They lived in France for the next 12 years, when they separated and Len returned to Montana. They were divorced in 1983. While in France, Len worked with an interior decorator as a carpet layer, a skill that was practically unknown in Europe at that time. He laid carpet in a large number of villas, yachts, and hotels on the French Riviera during this time.After returning to Montana, Len enrolled in community college and completed several courses in computer technology. He also joined the Montana National Guard in 1981, eventually reaching the rank of First Sergeant of Troop E, 163rd Cavalry. He retired from the Army in 1999 with 23 years of service. During this period he also worked for the State of Montana as a civilian from 1994 to 2004.In 2011, Len suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed on the left side. After hospitalization at the VA Hospital at Fort Harrison, Montana and some rehabilitation therapy at a local nursing home, he moved to the Veterans Home in Glendive, Montana and eventually to the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.Len was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Beryl Toftely and a brother, Allen.Len is survived by Monique Besancon, his daughter, Noreen (Marc) Santocchia and grandchildren, Marie and Florian Santocchia, all of Cannes, France. He is also survived by his brother, Gary (Hannelore) Toftely, Pelican Rapids, MN, sisters Penella (Al) Kempfert, Florence, AZ, and Kathleen (Jerry) Farmer, Henderson, NV, and numerous nieces and nephews.Visitation: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Larson Funeral Home in Pelican Rapids, MN. Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Larson Funeral Home.Clergy: Pastor Rob SandstromBurial: Lakeview CemeteryFuneral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572