Leo Rabideaux

Leo L. Rabideaux, 89, Pelican Lake, MN, died Sunday, September 17, at his residence surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 23, at 11am at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, rural Detroit Lakes, MN.  Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church from 5pm-7pm with a 6:30pm Rosary Service and 7pm Prayer Service.  Visitation will also continue one hour prior to Mass.  Interment will be held in the church cemetery.

Leo Lawrence Rabideaux was born March 10, 1928, in Fargo, ND, to Clarence and Irene (Cowan) Rabideaux.  He was raised and educated in Fargo where he attended St. Anthony of Padua, and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy.  After high school, he enlisted with the United States Navy and served his country from 1945-1947, during which he served in WWII.  Upon his honorable discharge, he worked as a steeple jack in the greater Twin Cities areas which included helping build the Minnesota Fairgrounds.  On June 16, 1947, he was united in marriage to Frances "Pat" Peart at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fargo.   In 1951, Leo founded Rabideaux Construction Company.  In the early 1970’s, Leo received the Fargo-Moorhead Homebuilder of the Year award.   Through the years, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Eagles, American Legion, and VFW.   As a member of St. Mary of the Lakes, Leo served as an usher and trustee.  For 28 years, he served as the sexton for St. Mary of the Lakes Cemetery.  Leo loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and family get togethers at the lake.

Leo will be remembered and missed by his nine daughters and two sons:  Sheila Rabideaux of Eveleth, MN, Marcia Rabideaux of Detroit Lakes, MN, Renee (Tim) Sletmoe of Fargo, ND, Monica Gerberding of Fargo, ND, Michelle (Frank) Lang of Fargo, ND, Rachelle (Tim) Lautt of Enderlin, ND, Annette Rabideaux of Detroit Lakes, MN, Joe (Tammy) Rabideaux of Barnesville, MN, Colette (Craig) Jungberg of Corpus Christi, TX, Jeanette (Craig) Dickey of Audubon, MN, Dean Rabideaux of Lake Park, MN, and daughter-in-law: Phyllis Rabideaux of Detroit Lakes, MN, along with 41 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and siblings: Margaret Ann Krause and Mary Ellen Klennert.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Pat (2014), son: Leo Rabideaux II, granddaughter: Jessica Sletmoe, son-in-law: Jerry Gerberding, and his siblings: James Rabideaux, Joe Rabideaux and Irene Christesen.