LeRoy I. Willey

BIRD ISLAND -- LeRoy I. Willey, age 69, of Bird Island, died Thursday, July 10, 2003, at Brainerd, Minn. Funeral services are Tuesday 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bird Island with the. Rev. George Schmit officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery. Visitation is Monday 4-8 p.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation continues Tuesday morning from 10-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

LeRoy I. Willey was born Nov. 23, 1933, at Olivia, Minn. to Walter and Veronica (Amberg) Willey. He attended school north of Olivia, then north of Bird Island and later at St. Mary's in Bird Island. After his schooling he held different jobs for a year then moved to Lake Elmo, Minn., where he worked for a farmer. On Oct. 23, 1954, he married Patricia Olinger at Lake Elmo, Minn., and they made their home on the farm north of Bird Island. Patricia preceded him in death in 1999. LeRoy was a member of the Bird Island Lions and the Catholic Aid Society and was on the Town Board for many years. He had enjoyed collecting and restoring antique gas engines, furniture and toys. LeRoy died after an extended illness at the home of his daughter in Brainerd, Minn., on July 10, 2003.

LeRoy is survived by his nine children; Timothy (and Dawn) Willey of Great Falls, Mont., Rhonda (and Mike) Kramer of Hector, Carolanne (and Roger) Volness of Fargo, N.D., Dianne (and Robert) Cochran of Oxford, Ala., Robert (and Myong) Willey of Savage, Minn., Cindy (and Russ) Larson of Brainerd, Peggy (and Tommy) Rollens of Crosby, John (and Nancy) Willey of Pilot Point, Texas, and Thomas (and Connie) Willey of Hector; his 35 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brother, Ron (and Maxine) Willey of Bird Island; and close friend Lorraine. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; his grandson Justin Kramer; and his granddaughter, Carla Willey. Blessed Be His Memory. Serving the family, Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, Minn.