LeRoy William Donnay, age 91, of Glencoe, passed away Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care.
He was born July 26, 1926, in Glencoe, the son of Godfrey and Frances (Harpel) Donnay. LeRoy was baptized as an infant, and later also confirmed at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe.
He attended the parochial school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Glencoe High School in 1944.
LeRoy married Delores B. Klobe May 21, 1949, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe. They lived on the family farm, where they raised 10 children.
4-H was a big part of farm life and under the leadership of both LeRoy and Delores, all 10 children were active members for many years. LeRoy was also a 4-H member for 10 years, and later a club leader for 28 years. He was one of the founders of the Helen Jrs. 4-H Club, and also served on the County Extension Committee.
Being a dairy farmer with a registered purebred Holstein dairy herd, LeRoy became involved with the McLeod County Holstein Association, Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and American Dairy Association. He also served on the Glencoe Mills Board of Directors.
While a member of the Glencoe Junior Chamber of Commerce (J.C.’s), LeRoy was fortunate to be named Outstanding Young Farmer in Minnesota in 1956.
A lifetime member of St. Peter and Paul, now St. Pius X, LeRoy served as president of the St. Joseph Society and the Men’s Club for many years. He was also a member of the church refurbishing committee, and the building committee for the new addition.
LeRoy was a member and a past Grand Knight of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, and past faithful navigator of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Holy Family Catholic United Financial Council.
LeRoy was interested in sports, especially football, and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren at their sporting events.
He enjoyed farming and after moving to town in 1988, he continued to help his son, John, John’s wife, Connie, and their family on the farm.
LeRoy will be remembered as a devoted father and grandfather, who was quiet, gentle, and always a gentleman. He was also an exceptional teacher. With the farm as his classroom, he taught the value of patience, attention to detail, hard work, common sense, and working safely at every opportunity.
LeRoy and Delores shared over 68 years of marriage.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Delores Donnay, of Glencoe; children, Roger (Patricia) Donnay of Elk River, Robert (Laurie) Donnay of Detroit, MI, Mary Ann Donnay (friend Sandy Schob) of Fargo, ND, Kevin (Nancy) Donnay of Baxter, Gale (Deb) Donnay of Glencoe, Susan (Jerry) McGraw of Woodbury, John (Connie) Donnay of Glencoe, Karen (Brian) Thalmann of Plato, Jeff (Sandy) Donnay of Lafayette, and Sara (Gerald) Fasching of Winsted; and grandchildren Kelly (Todd) Stauffer, Chris (Ranea) Donnay, Ryan (Sara) Donnay, Melissa (Pete) Purdy, Matthew (Jennifer) Donnay, Mike (Stephanie) Donnay, Kristin Donnay, Elizabeth (Erik) Gyolai, Alexandra (Jason) Krueger, Jacob Donnay, Jason (Katris) Donnay, Amanda Tankersley, Danny McGraw, Alex Donnay, Nathan Donnay, Mitchell Donnay, Benjamin Donnay, Nicole Donnay, Eric Thalmann, Adam Thalmann, Emily Thalmann, Kaitlin Donnay, Jenna Donnay, Addison Donnay, Shelby Fasching, Matthew Fasching, and Rebecca Fasching.
He is further survived by 24 great-grandchildren, Max Stauffer, Grace Stauffer, Tyler Donnay, Tanner Donnay, Trey Donnay, Reece Donnay, Cade Donnay, Hadley Donnay, Madison Purdy, Kyle Purdy, Daniella Donnay, Dylan Donnay, Marlie Hammack, Alaina Tankersley, Violet Tankersley, Judah Tankersley, Abigale Tankersley, Kyle Aerts, Cassie Aerts, Brianna Seiler, Devean Donnay, Delila Donnay, Jason II Donnay, and Henrik Gyolai; a brother, Kenneth (Gladys) Donnay of Glencoe; brother-in-law Albin Klobe of Glencoe; sister-in-law LaVerne Ford of Glencoe; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Godfrey and Frances Donnay; father- and mother-in-law, Herman and Josephine Klobe; sisters-in-law, Tillie (John) Hettver, Theresa (John) Ford, Irene (Virgil) Hajicek, and Teddy Klobe; and granddaughter, Megan McGraw.
Mass of Christian Burial took place Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe, followed by interment at Glencoe Catholic Cemetery. Father Anthony Stubeda was the celebrant; pianist was Mary Ann Thalmann; and song leaders were Gus and Irene Makovsky. Musical selections included “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “You Are Mine,” “Parable,” “Seeds Scattered and Sown,” and “Old Rugged Cross.”
Casket bearers were Danny McGraw, Matthew Fasching, Eric Thalmann, Alex Donnay, Mitchell Donnay, Chris Donnay, Jacob Donnay, and Jason Donnay.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel of Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.mcbridechapel.com; click on Obituaries/Guest Book.
