LeAnn Taylor

LeAnn Taylor, age 65, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Ortonville Area Health Services.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pastor Dave Tonn will officiate, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville. 

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

LeAnn Marie (Gruenwald) Taylor was born on October 17, 1958, in Milbank, SD, to parents, Roger and Phyllis Gruenwald. LeAnn grew up in Big Stone City, SD, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Charles Catholic Church. She graduated from Ortonville High School in 1976. She married Terry Taylor on October 27, 1979. 

Terry and Annie moved to Eden, SD, but very soon returned to Ortonville to build their lives. Annie worked at various places throughout the years including Milbank Mutual, Ortonville Farmer’s Coop, Minnwest Insurance, and The Matador. But most recently and most famously, she has been your favorite server at Headwaters Grill and Bar for the past 15+ years.

Annie and Terry had two children: Kristen and Kyle. She spent a great deal of time single parenting while Terry was working on the road but always made sure all rules were followed and all responsibilities kept. She did not love cooking (or being in the kitchen in general) and made too many meals of beans and hamburger, but everyone was always well fed and well loved.

While she was a terrific mother, she was an even more amazing grandmother to her two grandsons: Connor and Jayce. She loved to spoil them and made a vow that every day with Grandma was a “yes day.” She made sure they always had their favorite meals when she came to visit – and even tried to sneak in the famous beans and hamburger. While the boys told her it wasn’t terrible, it was not the fan favorite.

Annie loved children. With each new addition to her family, her eyes sparkled a little more. She had the amazing ability to make all of the young ones fall in love with her without even trying – but her new-found love of donuts didn’t hurt in bribing the littles to run straight to her. 

Annie loved all people and always had an open ear. She was incredibly easy to talk to and she listened for hours upon hours as people talked freely – she had that special gift where people felt comfortable opening up.

Annie loved the cabin, day dates with Shelly, bonfires, getting her nails done, trips to the casino, going out for lunch, the occasional adult beverage, Netflix, Yahtzee, reading a good book, staying up too late, playing softball, the Minnesota Vikings, and listening to music. She was easy-going and up for any adventure – unless it involved flying or birds.

LeAnn is survived by her children: Kristen (Jeremy) Ohm of Ortonville, MN; Kyle Taylor of River Falls, WI; grandsons: Connor and Jayce Ohm; bonus daughter, Vanessa Lhotka-Meyer of Appleton, MN; mother, Phyllis Gruenwald of Big Stone City, SD; sisters: Linda (John) Hausauer of Minnetonka, MN; and Shelly (Gary) Fredrichsen of Milbank, SD; brother, David (Dawnette) Gruenwald of Ortonville, MN; mother and father-in-law,  Al and Mary Taylor of Tyler, MN;  brothers-in-law: Rick (Deb) Taylor of Sheldon, ND; and Danny (Tammy) Taylor of Arco, MN ; sister-in-law, Lori Trump of Marshall, MN; nieces and nephews: Tyler (Brenna), Hanna (Marshall), Paige (Brad), Betsy (Jono), Jake (Susie), Justin (Jess), Rachel (Marcus), Amy, Derrick (Jill), Brittany (Travis), Kenzie (Tyler), Kendra (Corey), Hailey, Brooke (Jeramie), Aryanna, Parker, Kinsley, Zoey, Taya, Lenna, Clara, Leila, Sadie, Owen, Evie, Avery, Carter, Aiden, Eve, Archer, Cassidy, Quinn, Sydney, Oliver, Toby, Ruby, Wyatt, Weston, Briar, and Peyton; uncle, Hank (Marge) Lubbesmeyer; and many cousins and friends she considered family. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Terry; her father, Roger; paternal grandparents, Reynold and Glenda Gruenwald; maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Lubbesmeyer-Bergseth; and many aunts, uncles, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Big Stone County Cancer Support Group or Big Stone Health Care Foundation.