Leroy Melvin Bohnsack, a lifelong resident of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 81.
A visitation was held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St SE) in Prior Lake. Funeral service was Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM with a visitation 1-hr prior at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (5634 Luther Rd. SE) in Prior Lake. A recording of the service is available at the following link: Leroy Bohnsack Funeral Service. Leroy will be laid to rest at Spring Lake Cemetery with Pastor Greg DeMuth and Pastor John P. Vaughn presiding. Pallbearers will be Leroy’s sons and his brother.
On June 26, 1939, Leroy was born to Melvin and Emma (Hartwig) Bohnsack at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. Growing up in Prior Lake, Leroy always found a bit of mischief with his little brother Don. Such events included using a tractor to yank out Don’s baby teeth, to trapping muskrats on Mud Bay. However, it wasn’t always fun and games. At a young age, Leroy began work as a farm hand and continued after his graduation with the class of 1957.
An industrious man, Leroy initially partnered with Gordy Hennen in 1959 to start a career in excavation. This later grew into a family business with Leroy’s sons, becoming Bohnsack Excavating. For over 50 years, Leroy was a respected and trusted businessman in Prior Lake.
On August 12, 1961, Leroy was married to Karen Meyer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They were blessed with five children and 48 years of life together. Leroy took pride in his work and his family, teaching his children the importance of working hard and having fun.
After Karen’s death in 2009, Leroy dedicated more time to his grandchildren. He was a proud grandpa, attending countless sporting events, giving thoughtful gifts, and encouraging them in every aspect of life.
No matter the season, Leroy always stayed active. From a young age, Leroy was an avid baseball fan. He is instrumental in starting the Prior Lake Jays and also served as a board member on the Prior Lake Amateur Baseball Association. If he wasn’t at work, Leroy could be found cheering on the Mudcats and Jays. He enjoyed snowmobiling in the mountains, four wheeling, and spending time with his family at the cabin in Wisconsin.
Leroy was a man of few words, however, when he did speak, he was easily misunderstood due to his signature mumble. He had a good sense of humor, strong faith, and a deep appreciation for his family and friends. If you were to ask anyone about Leroy, they would have a story to share. He will be deeply missed by all.
Leroy is survived by his sons, Greg (Angela) Bohnsack, Dan (Kim) Bohnsack, Mike (Tracy Karsseboom) Bohnsack, Kevin (Sue) Bohnsack, and Jesse (Tamra) Bohnsack; grandchildren, Jimmy, Kiana, Emily, Matthew, Erica (Javilyn), Alecia, Brooke, Ben, Shawn, Heather, and Haley; and his brother, Don (Coleen) Bohnsack.
Leroy is greeted in Heaven by his wife, Karen; parents; and infant brother, Wayne.
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Jami (Lunde) Duncan
My childhood would not have been the same without the Bohnsack family as the neighbor up the hill. LeRoy’s signature 2 finger wave always brightened my day as he drove by in his trucks. His heart of gold and kind demeanor will never be forgotten. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and hoping you are finding peace at this difficult time.
Karen b Keenan
We will always get a smile on our faces thinking of LeRoy. His love of life and family was so refreshing. He was a joy to be around and a great straight man for Karen. Our hearts go out to you for this huge loss.
Karen & Jack Keenan
Sheila Manor VonBank
Bohnsack family, so sorry for your loss, sending prayers to you all.
Jill and Jon Lunde
We had the wonderful pleasure to have Leroy and Karen as our neighbors for 25 years. No one could ask for a better neighbor. Living in the hollow we raked leaves and more leaves together, mowed grass and shared the road, Drake Avenue. We watched out for each other and could count on each other to offer a hand when needed. We will cherish our funny stories and fond memories that grew out of our days together on Drake. Our hearts go out to all the boys and their families. We also feel the loss of a truly great friend and a good man. He will be missed.
Harry Chappuis
Greg, Dan, Mike, Kevin, Jesse and Families,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dads passing.
I am unable to make it to the services, but you are in my prayers and thoughts. In Boney’s honor I will be having a mass said at our church in Faribault
Stay strong, stay healthy .
God bless you all
Harry Chappuis
Bettie Hauser
It has been an honor to know the Bohnsack family. My children grew up with the Bohnsack boys-Still to this day they have remained friends. I’m so sad that my long friend has passed away. Rest in Peace my friend-
Mike and Penni Tracy
So sorry to hear of your loss! I always enjoyed Leroy’s mumble!
Prayers are with all of you!
Mark Erickson
Sorry I never got to meet any family members, but I was able to enjoy LeRoy’s company at Glynwater South Function and of course the ROMEO’s. I last visited with LeRoy in January 1 of 2019 at St Gerts. He was in great spirits that day. We moved from Glynwater later in 2019 and know he was trnasferd to assisted liveing in Prior Lake. I regret I have not seen him since. Wanted to the family to know how much I enjoyed getting to know Leroy and enjoying a beer together once in a while.
God Bless the Family
Mark Erickson
Larry & Sharon Wiemken
We are so truly sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers
help comfort you. He was a very special person. Memories will last on and on.
Larry & Sharon Wiemken
Heidi
Sending our sincere deepest condolences to the Bohnsack family and friends.
Curt
Mavis & Heidi Mohr
Marty Coddington
I met Lee in the snowmobile club way back in the middle 70s. Later is was enjoyable to see him at P. L. Townball games, right up into 2020. So, I got to see that great smile and twinkle in the eye for almost 50 years. Thanks Lee.
I pray the family will have peace, comfort and healing. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Brad Reiland
One of my favorite people and an amazing friend of the Reiland’s. I know my brothers, father and I will miss LeRoy’s smile and his encouragement especially when it comes to snowmobiling. My wife and our 4 children all ride every year in the Rocky Mountains directly because of his influence. I would guess that thousands of Minnesota’s mountain snowmobilers were introduced from LeRoy’s love of the sport. He will be remembered forever in my family.
Dorothy Carlson
Don and Leroy’s children
We were sad to hear of Leroy’s passing and would like to have been there for the service. I was pleased to be able to watch it online but it would have been nice to greet all of you and offer condolences in person.