It was a peacefully Friday evening, December 4, 2015, when Leo Lenzmeier passed away gracefully with his beloved family at his side, at Friendship Manor Health Care Center in Shakopee, MN. The greatest passions in life, were his faith, farming and family. Quiet in nature, Leo was very loving, caring, sensitive, strong and dedicated to his faith. He always greeted you with a smile and welcomed you into his home, where Leo loved to tease and share a good laugh.
All of Leo’s services will be held at The Parish of St. Joachim and Anne (St. Mary of the Purification) 15850 Marystown Road, Shakopee, MN. A time of gathering will be on Wednesday, December 9, from 4-8 pm and on Thursday, December 10, from 10-10:45 am, just prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Father Erik Lundgren will preside. Pall bearers for Leo will be his grandchildren: Andrew Hasselius, Jeremiah Mathison, Stephanie Fahrenkamp, Sarah Fahrenkamp, Joe Lenzmeier and Aaron Lenzmeier. He will be laid to rest at a private family interment on Friday at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee, MN.
On the family farm in Shakopee, MN, Leo Earl was born on January 26, 1936, to parents Alois and Loretta (Sand) Lenzmeier. He was the younger brother to Marcella. Leo attended Marystown School through the eighth grade. Upon the sudden onset illness and later death of his father, his life took a different direction. Leo had a desire to enter the Air Force, but was waved due to the health of his father. He grew up filling a lifelong devotion as a caretaker of God’s land being a farmer.
Leo was looking for a girl who shared the same interests as him, especially the love of farming. Through a mutual friend, he found the perfect woman to work side by side with him for the rest of his life. Her name was Helen Gregory. On May 5, 1962, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, MN, they declared their love to each other. Leo and Helen were blessed with seven children, Steve, Sharon, Alan, Kathy, Lynn, Bill and Nicki.
Family was most important to Leo, with farming being their livelihood. After Leo took over the farm, his mother was still involved, until she passed. Leo and Helen worked side by side on the farm for 53 years. She never went to bed until he was safe in the house. And we can’t forget his sweet tooth, for his night ended with a bowl of ice cream, she would dish up! As the kids grew up, they too were involved in the success of the farm. Everyone helped out.
The life of the farm did not allow much free time. But when there was a free moment, the family enjoyed rides in the tractor bucket, playing baseball, attending tractor pulls and an occasional Minnesota Twins game. Sunday was a day dedicated to church and family. Sometimes after church, Leo would treat them to McDonalds or KFC. He made sure his sweet tooth was taken care too…an apple pie, shake or ice cream treat! As Leo became a grandpa, he took great joy in seeing his grandchildren take interest in the farm and wanting to work alongside him.
As a young man, Leo loved to play baseball for the Marystown baseball team. His true fascination was with airplanes. Even as a young boy, Leo loved watching planes. When he became a father, he took his family to Flying Cloud Airport to watch the planes. Leo was even fortunate to experience flying and seeing the farm from overhead. He enjoyed the country music of Johnny Cash, speaking German with his mom and smoking a Winston. Through the years and with the help from Helen, Leo was transformed from Case and Masey Ferguson to the green and yellow of John Deere.
Forever missed and loved, Leo’s legacy will live on through his wife, Helen; children, Steve (Cheri) Lenzmeier, Sharon (Kurt) Mathison, Alan (Jill) Lenzmeier, Kathy (Bruce) Fahrenkamp, Lynn (Tony) Hasselius, Bill (Annah) Lenzmeier, Nicki (Bruce) Klehr; grandchildren – Joe, Sydney, Jason and Ethan Lenzmeier; Jeremiah and Dan Mathison; Meghan and Zach Sweetland; Noah, Aaron, Faith and Ava Lenzmeier; Stephanie and Sarah Fahrenkamp; Andrew (Tori), Adam and Alison Hasselius; Genevieve Lenzmeier; Shawn and Jake Klehr; Great Grandchildren – Mason and Charlotte Sweetland; Lincoln and Ashlyn Hasselius; sister, Marcella Hennen; other relatives and friends.
Leo is greeted in heaven by his granddaughter, Emma Hasselius, parents and brother-in-law, Eugene Hennen,
The family sends all staff of Friendship Manor Health Care Center a heartfelt thank you for the tender and compassionate care provided to Leo. Dad was a quiet man, but he had huge smiles to greet those who cared for him. We also appreciate the kindness shown to the whole family, but especially to mom each and every day while she visited.
