Leigh Nygard
On Jan. 9, 2022, the Lord sent an angel to take the hand of Leigh Franklin Nygard and lead him to heaven from Fishers, Ind., thus giving him a pain free body as well as a heavenly home after a battle with cancer. Leigh dedicated his life to Christian service and investing his time helping others.
He was born on Feb. 8, 1937, to Oscar and Gudrun Nygard and raised on a homestead farm in Watford City, N.D. (which he has owned and operated for many years). He graduated from high school with the class of 1955, and went on to earn degrees at Indiana Wesleyan University (BA), Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div.) and Rockford College (M.A.T.). In a ministry spanning more than 60 years, Leigh served as a pastor in Illinois, Washington and Indiana and as a counsellor at the Galesburg Rescue Mission & Women’s Shelter. In retirement, he kept busy with numerous activities, including serving as a hospice chaplain, volunteer chaplain with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, chaplain of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, member of the Knox County Salvation Army advisory Board, a jail and prison ministry, member of the Galesburg City Planning Commission and Knox County Pro-Life Board. Several bible studies and weekly radio broadcasts also kept him busy in his retirement.
Leigh’s hobbies included travel (all 50 states and 13 foreign countries), sports (bowling and basketball), walking, reading, playing table games and visiting children and grandchildren. A proud Norwegian, Leigh was a people person with a ready smile for everyone, quick wit and grandpa jokes.
Leigh married Judith Haynes in 1962, and they served the Lord together for 52 years. To celebrate their 50 years of marriage, the entire family enjoyed a cruise to the Caribbean which was a cherished family highlight. Judy went to heaven in 2015, and Leigh married a close family friend of 63 years, Linda Castro, in 2019 and the two spent two-and-a-half fun-filled years traveling, visiting family and laughing. Leigh is preceded in death by Judy; his parents; and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Linda Castro Nygard; three sons, Nathan (Roxanne), Galesburg Ill., Mark (Kim), Puyallup Wash., and James (Stephanie), Tampa Fla.; three step-sons, Mark Castro, Fishers, Ind., Michael (Stephanie) Castro, Noblesville, Ind., and Matthew (Deanna) Castro, Bradenton, Fla. Also surviving is a brother, Gregory (Elsa), Reston, Va.; 19 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and, unfortunately, Lutefisk.
Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel and from 10 to 11 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg. The service was held at 11 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church.
In memory of Leigh’s global ministry, donations may be given to World Hope International for clean water in West Africa (online: http://www.worldhope.org or World Hope International, 1330 Braddock Place, Alexandria, Va. 22314). The family deeply appreciates your love and prayers. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.