Mikenzie (Renning) Blessing ’13 learned about adversity early...
Rev. LeRoy Erlandson L'51
Rev. LeRoy Erlandson L'51
Erlandson, Rev. LeRoy A. passed away, peacefully, in his sleep on April 5, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN. His loving wife, Charlotte, was by his side. LeRoy was born in rural Kennedy, MN and was preceded in death by his parents (Alric and Walborg), and his three brothers (Alden, Paul and Erland). LeRoy is survived by his wife, Charlotte, their six children: Kent (Maria); Daniel (Meg); Karla; David (Heather); John (Amy); Sven (gf Karen); and ten grandchildren: Erik, Kiley, Lief, Grace; Alex, Chris, Luke, Shae; Colbjorn, Svea. In addition, he is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Dan Stenoien, and numerous nieces and nephews. One of LeRoy's greatest joys was simply spending time with family visiting, laughing, singing, and telling stories and jokes. His gentle spirit, infinite kindness, and ever-present smile will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. LeRoy attended Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) on Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, where, one fateful Saturday morning in 1948, while she was returning from the basement laundry room, LeRoy met a smart, pretty girl, named Charlotte. She was the young woman with whom he would spend the next nearly 70 years. LeRoy graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota, before going on to attend and graduate from Augustana Lutheran Seminary. A Lutheran pastor for 60 years, LeRoy served parishes in Kennedy, MN, Oberon, ND, Irving, TX, Lake Park, MN, and Fridley, MN. His final twelve years of ministry were spent as a Protestant chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. LeRoy took his last breath on Palm Sunday, 2020 fitting for a country pastor, who was really just a farm- kid, at heart. Like Jesus, he had lived his life humbly, a servant of people, and without any fanfare. A funeral service will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church (3045 Chicago Ave) in Minneapolis at a later date.
Published on April 15, 2020 on https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000352696/