LeRoy Donnay

Obituary

LeRoy William Donnay was born on July 26, 1926, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  He was the son of Godfrey and Frances (Harpel) Donnay.  LeRoy was baptized as an infant and later confirmed, both 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.

On May 21, 1949, LeRoy married Delores B. Klobe at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe. They lived on the family farm where they raised their ten children. 4-H was a big part of farm life and under the leadership of both LeRoy and Delores, all ten 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. He also served on the County Extension Committee.

Being a dairy farmer with a registered purebred Holstein dairy herd, he 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), he was fortunate to be named Outstanding Young Farmer in Minnesota in 1956. LeRoy was a lifetime member of St. Peter and Paul, now St. Pius X, where he was President of St. Joseph Society and the Men’s Club for many years, also a member of the church refurbishing committee and the building committee for the new addition. He 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 always 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, his wife Connie, and their family on the farm. He 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 passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years, 3 months and 30 days.

Blessed be his memory.

LeRoy is survived by his:
Wife, Delores Donnay, of Glencoe, MN,
Children, Roger (Patricia) Donnay of Elk River, MN, Robert (Laurie) Donnay of Detroit, MI, Mary Ann Donnay (friend Sandy Schob) of Fargo, ND, Kevin (Nancy) Donnay of Baxter, MN, Gale (Deb) Donnay of Glencoe, MN, Susan (Jerry) McGraw of Woodbury, MN, John (Connie) Donnay of Glencoe, MN, Karen (Brian) Thalmann of Plato, MN, Jeff (Sandy) Donnay of Lafayette, MN, Sara (Gerald) Fasching of Winsted, MN;
Grandchildren, Kelly (Todd) Stauffer, Chris (Ranea) Donnay, Ryan (Sara) Donnay, Melissa (Pete) Purdy, Matthew (Jennifer) Donnay, Mike (Stephanie) Donnay, Kristen 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, Rebecca Fasching;
24 Great Grandchildren, Max Stauffer, Grace Stauffer, Tyler Donnay, Tanner Donnay, Trey Donnay, Reese 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, Henrik Gyolai;
Brother, Kenneth (Gladys) Donnay of Glencoe, MN;
Brother-In-Law, Albin Klobe of Glencoe, MN;
Sister-In-Law, LaVerne Ford of Glencoe, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

LeRoy is 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, Teddy Klobe; Granddaughter, Megan McGraw.