Obit: Pederson, LeRoy Frank (1954 - 2022)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Pederson, Brumbach, Blattler, Langreck, McFall, Draeger

----Source: Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 3/15/2022

Pederson, LeRoy Frank (12 August 1954 – 10 March 2022)

On a windy, sunny Thursday, August 12, 1954, about 73`F in Marshfield, LeRoy Frank Pederson was born. His dad Merle and mother Margaret, and three siblings, were very happy. On the way home from St Joseph’s Hospital, big brother Charles was so excited he yelled out the window of the car, “I got a new baby brother!”

Our sister Betty would say that because she and LeRoy were close in age, that when they were young, they could act like a cat and a dog in a small room together. They got Mom’s attention though! She was the zookeeper. As it turns out cats and dogs have common ground too. We kids all loved our kittens and puppies and the farm animals. And when they got a little older, Betty and LeRoy even showed calves together for 4H at the Marshfield Fair. LeRoy also helped Betty take care of her horses with a gentle kindness.

He attended grade school in a one-room country school and then went on to Pittsville, WI middle school. In junior high, LeRoy decided to try music. He got a tuba and his one place to practice was in the basement. By that time, Mom and Dad had bought a small truck stop restaurant. That tuba woke many a sleepy-eyed truck driver, dispatching them alertly on their way.

On to high school. Here LeRoy honed his skills on small engines and welding. Which would become his main occupation as an adult. High school was also when he got his driver’s license. He often drove Louis Paun, a neighbor who had lost his eyesight, to his appointments. LeRoy did a lot of the driving for Mom and Dad too, taking them to appointments, picking up their groceries, and such. LeRoy was a big guy, but his figure was slight compared to his big-hearted generosity.

He loved going to stock car races, driving go-carts and snowmobiles. Basically, anything with an engine! He also loved building model cars and truck kits. He once worked non-stop on a black powder pistol kit that brother Charles gave him. The pistol turned out beautiful. LeRoy turned out very tired, but proud of his accomplishment.

His knowledge of repairing engines was meaningful in his life. LeRoy’s favorite vehicle was a green and black “72 Blazer”. He really liked that truck even though it was old rusted, and noisy. To him it was better than a “new Caddie”. It’s a good thing LeRoy was such a talented grease-monkey! He kept the engine in great shape, though the body was falling apart.

LeRoy loved being out in nature. He enjoyed going deer hunting with the other guys, or going fishing, whether Sherwood Lake or Potters flowage. Even if he landed the biggest musky, he would unhook the poor fish and safely slide it back into the water.

You could see LeRoy’s big-hearted compassion again when he got his last dog, Bart. Gentleman Bart was LeRoy’s buddy that he adopted from the Humane Society. It was a hard decision for LeRoy to give him up after years of being together. Bart went to live with our sister Carol so that LeRoy could find his own new home at Country Terrace Assisted Living. His home life there was filled with friends and happy times. He enjoyed participating in their games and activities with the other residents. He loved to tease the others how he could win at bingo and concentration.

The gracious care the staff gave him was like a hug around his big ole heart. They welcomed old Bart to come visit with Leroy too and his friend Jerome. For his part, LeRoy liked to keep the staff smiling with his charming stories and silly jokes! He shared his humor with us all his life. LeRoy was, is, and always will be our little brother in our hearts and now in heaven.

LeRoy is survived by his brother Charles Pederson (Rochelle), sisters Carol Blattler and Betty Langreck (Robert), his nephews Konrad Blattler (Kimberly) and Shawn Langreck, nieces Sherry Blattler, Stacey McFall (Steven) and Shannon Blattler, and his great nephews Jakob Blattler and Ryan Blattler.

He was preceded in death by his father Merle Pederson, his mother Margaret (Brumbach) Pederson, and brother-in-law Kenneth Blattler. LeRoy Pederson, age 67, left us on a chilly afternoon, Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Memorial services for LeRoy will be held at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, 1010 East Veterans Parkway, Marshfield, on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Deacon Ray Draeger officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in the Town of Sherwood Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour before the time of service on Saturday.

Online condolences can be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com. 

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