LeRoy Vernon Hedin, age 85, of New Richland, MN, and formerly of Mankato, passed away to his eternal home on April 4, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
LeRoy was born in Stanton Township, Cannon Falls, MN, on June 3, 1936. He was the son of John and Paula (Berg) Hedin. He attended Cannon Falls schools. At a young age, LeRoy began his life as a farmer. He raised crops and all kinds of livestock, especially horses and dairy cattle. He had a variety of other jobs throughout his life including working in sod fields, and as a mechanic at Norris Implement, and at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault. He raised his family in the Cannon Falls and Warsaw areas. In 1984 LeRoy’s life was forever changed when he met Inez Thomas and the couple moved to Mankato. He worked at National Poly (Atlantis Plastics) in Mankato and then became the owner/operator of Roy’s Landscaping. He continued this business until retiring in 2017. His footprints have left a true legacy in Mankato and surrounding areas, where he excelled in a job well done. LeRoy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018 and has been cared for at the New Richland Care Center since that time.
LeRoy enjoyed being outdoors experiencing nature at its finest. Recreational times were spent with his family. He loved camping, vacations in the Dakotas, Colorado, and Wyoming, 4 wheeling, snowmobiling, boat rides, flea markets, auctions, antiquing, and country music venues. He was an avid collector of glassware, as well as Farmfest and Hesston belt buckles. He and Inez made several escapes to Branson, Florida, and weekends at their camper near Faribault.
LeRoy remained strong in his faith in Jesus despite his many challenges with his declining health. He enjoyed each and every day to the fullest and kept a positive attitude with a precious smile for everyone, even in his final hours.
Survivors include his loving companion of 38 years, Inez; children Roxanne (Robert) Lindberg, Rhonda (Dennis) Terhark, Rose Marie Pearson, Jeffrey (Carol) Hedin, Tammy (Robert) Waligursky, Cheryl (Troy) Root, Bonnie (Robert) Hager, Robert Hedin, and Brian Hedin; son-in-law Richard Root; sister Elaine Hernke of Farmington; sister-in-law Kitty Benton; along with several grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Merle and Paul Hedin, sister Marilyn Kolstad, daughters Brenda Hedin and Rita Root, granddaughter Elysha Hager, nephews Craig Kolstad and Michael Hedin, and the mother of his children Helen (Dietrich) Bartelt.
Memorials are suggested to the New Richland Care Center, St. Croix Hospice, or the donor’s choice.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 8, 2022, at 11 a.m., at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, 7459 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. There was a visitation at the church, one hour to the time of the service. Interment is in the Cannon Falls Cemetery. LeRoy’s funeral will be live streamed and may be viewed on his obituary page at www.LundbergFuneral.com. Lundberg Funeral Home of Cannon Falls is assisting the family.