The following obituaries are from the Nov. 26, 2009 print edition of the Shakopee Valley News newspaper:

David Dale Plekkenpol

David’s dignity, warmth and acceptance were a gift to his family and friends and he will be deeply missed. In spite of his lifelong deafness, David had a positive, gentle spirit, enjoying a simple life and spending time with his family and friends. He loved the outdoors, fishing, telling tall tales and most of all making treasured family movies.David Plekkenpol

David, 50, of Prior Lake, our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, made a quiet and graceful exit from this life in the arms of his adoring niece, Brianna, on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 after a courageous struggle with cancer. He was born Dec. 31, 1958 in Shakopee, the son of Paul and Joan (Mechtel) Plekkenpol.

He will be loved and forever missed by his mother, Joan Plekkenpol of Shakopee; brother, Craig (Judy) Plekkenpol of Bloomington; sisters, Diana (Cliff) Cracauer of Bloomington, Gwenn (Myron) Will of Prior Lake and Linda (Jim) Theis of Prior Lake; many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Plekkenpol.

Private family services per David’s wishes. Memorials preferred to www.caringbridge.org/visit/davesstory.

Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

George F. Leonhardt

George Leonhardt, 75, of Shakopee, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park.

George was born in Blakeley, Minn. on Oct. 12, 1934 to Thomas and Margaret (Oldenburg) Leonhardt. He married Marilyn Winkler on Sept. 11, 1965 in Cologne. He served in the United States Army and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. George was a retired employee of Ford Tractor where he was employed in the parts department.

Survivors include wife, Marilyn; son, Thomas (Tori) Leonhardt of St. Michael; daughter, Marlene (Brian) Kadlec of Eagan; four grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica Leonhardt, Rachel and Zach Kadlec; sister, Elizabeth (Donald) Strobel of Henderson; three brothers, John (Jean) Leonhardt, William Leonhardt all of Crosby, Terrence (Flor) Leonhardt of Belle Plaine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph and Lawrence.

Visitation was Sunday, Nov. 22, from 4-8 p.m. at the McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Shakopee, with the Rev. Peter Wittman officiating. Honorary pallbearers included John, Joe and Jim Luskey, Jim Brown, Jerry Narr, Joe Strobel, Chuck Leonhardt, Steven and Robert Winkler, Jim McDonald and Bill Boecker. Pallbearers were Steve Leonhardt, Tim Reed, Jack Nelson, Roger Thorson, Lionel Mohrer, and Roger Dietel. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Shakopee Veterans Memorial Unit and the Fort Snelling Rifle Squad.

Funeral arrangements through the McNearney Funeral Home in Shakopee, 952-445-2755. www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com