Gordon Leigh Negley age 80 of Babbitt died Thursday, April 7, 2011 in his home with his family by his side. He was born May 31, 1930 in Farmington Township, IL the son of Howard and Ethel (Clausen) Negley. Gordon was a graduate of Princeton High School Class of 1948 and attended Hamline University. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving in the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant in Alaska. Gordon married Elizabeth Almquist on March 21, 1959 in Columbia Heights, MN and lived in Princeton and Winnebago, MN prior to moving to Babbitt in 2004. He was employed by United Hardware as a night manager, was a member of the Gideons, a lifelong member of the Red Rock Camp Fellowship, and had his local preacher's license. He spent many Sundays in the pulpit of a church. At the time of his death, Gordon was a member of the Presbyterian Church and Ministerial Association in Babbitt MN. He enjoyed remodeling and carpentry. Sunday afternoons you could find Gordon watching the Vikings game. He also enjoyed being outdoors, camping, fishing, and traveling with his wife. Gordon cherished the time spent with family get-togethers. His children enjoyed listening to Gordon and his siblings tell stories of their childhood on the farm in Illinois and watching them play pitch. His grandchildren were extremely special to Gordon. It was a regular occurrence to find him on the floor or outside playing with them. Gordon's special achievements were his children, grandchildren, and the faith he instilled in all of them. Gordon was a servant to God, his family, friends and anyone who needed something he had to offer. He and his wife regularly hosted guests who quickly became like family. He made strangers feel like friends and friends feel like family.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 52 years: Elizabeth "Beth" Negley of Babbitt; children: Donald (Leanne) Negley of Babbitt MN, Robert (Robyn) Negley of Princeton MN, Jennell (Rory) Pettit of Princeton MN, and Chris (Kristin) Negley of Rochester MN; siblings: Ralph (MaryEllen) Negley of Little America IL, Dwayne (June) Negley of Kewanee IL, Gene Negley of Osseo, MN, and Jane (Gene) Webster of Lafayette IL; grandchildren: Morgan (Tom) Klatt, Cameron Negley, Amber Negley, Aaron Negley, Mindy (Jason) Swanson, Jalisa Negley, Jalayne Negley, and Karen, Jennifer, Joan and Niell Kounsa; great-grandchildren: Addie and Gunnar Klatt; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Ngone Kounsa; and a brother: Burke Negley; brother-in-law: Rev. George Almquist; and sisters-in-law: Lee Negley and Dorothy Negley.
A Gathering Time for Family and Friends will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service in the Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt, MN. Pastor Frank Davis will officiate.
A Gathering Time for Family and Friends will be held Monday, April 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service in the Freshwaters – UMC in Princeton, MN. Pastor Loren Ferch, Jr. will officiate.
Spring Inurnment will be in the Friesborg Cemetery in East Bethel, MN.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to: the Gideons, Woodland Presbyterian in Babbitt MN, or the freshwaters United Methodist in Princeton MN.
Family services provided by Bauman Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share personal condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Facts Born: May 31, 1930
Place of Birth: Farmington Township, IL
Death: April 7, 2011
Place of Death: Babbitt, MN 55706
Occupation: Night Manager for United Hardware
Hobbies: Remodeling and Carpentry
Organizations: the Gideons, Presbyterian Church and Ministerial Association in Babbitt
Services Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Saturday April 9, 2011 , 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt, MN

Memorial Service

Saturday April 9, 2011 , 2:00 PM at Woodland Prestbyterian Church in Babbitt, MN

Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Monday April 11, 2011 , 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Freshwaters United Methodist Congregation

Memorial Service

Monday April 11, 2011 , 2:00 p.m. at Freshwaters United Methodist Congregation

Inurnment

at Fridsborg Cemetry