LeRoy Kack, age 88, of St. Leo, MN passed away at Sanford Canby Medical Center with his family by his side from injuries sustained from an auto accident. Mass & Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Saturday, June 26, 2021, with visitation one hour prior at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. Visitation will be Friday, June 25, 2021, from 5-7 with a prayer service and rosary at 7 pm at Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby. Burial will be at the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Neva’s Fund for Hospice, Sanford Canby Hospice or St. Leo Catholic Cemetery Fund.
LeRoy L. Kack was born on February 24, 1933, near St. Leo (Burton Township) to William and Cecilia (Weber) Kack. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. He attended St. Leo School. LeRoy was united in marriage to Audrey VanHyfte of Minneota, MN on May 10, 1955, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota and to this union eight children were born. They lived in St. Leo for their 66 years of marriage. LeRoy and his brother Alvin owned the Kack’s Tavern until 1965. In 1965, they bought the General Store and renamed it Kack’s General Store and owned Madison Best Feed. They also had a bulk gas truck and delivered gas to numerous families and always gave Saf-T-Pops to the children. In May of 1969, LeRoy went to work for Mooney’s Inc. of Granite Falls. He was employed for 27 years and retired in 1995. During this time LeRoy earned the nickname of “Ticker.” LeRoy joined the St. Leo Fire Department in 1953 and was named Fire Chief from 1975 to 1989 and retired in 1992. He served for many years on the St. Leo Fire Department and was also a First Responder. LeRoy was very active in the city of St. Leo. He was the caretaker for the church by mowing the lawn and removing the snow for a number of years. He was also on the St. Leo Cemetery Board. After his retirement, LeRoy stayed active and worked for West-Con hauling fertilizer, stocking shelves for Jim’s Market, and mowing as much grass as he could find in St. Leo. He received a Community Award in 2004. He enjoyed camping with his family at Mill Lake and Lakeshore Resort for many years. In his younger years, he loved to fish and watch NASCAR as well as the dirt track races in Madison and Montevideo, MN. Playing Rummy was one of LeRoy’s absolute favorite things. He taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren how to play. He was just a bit competitive during the game and most often won the game and the most money! He played daily with his wife every afternoon and with the community and friends on Wednesdays at the Community Center. He also loved receiving scratch-offs from his children and grandchildren and being a winner. He enjoyed “Happy Hour” with his friends and family at the local bar. His pride and joy was making all of the yards around his home look perfect. He spent numerous hours riding his lawn mower and using his weed trimmer. LeRoy was diagnosed in 2013 with pancreatic cancer. He surprised us all and gave us eight more wonderful years of memories. He enjoyed participating in the Relay for Life in Clarkfield, Montevideo, Ivanhoe, and Hendricks. He also walked in the Pancreatic Cancer Walk for several years in Fargo, ND.
LeRoy is survived by his wife Audrey of 66 years and 8 children: Charlotte (Bob) Pohlen of Redwood Falls, MN; Rick (Fred) Kack of Delavan, WI; Bruce (Carol) Kack of Minneota, MN; Bill (Jill) Kack of Willlmar, MN; Mary DeVos (special friend – Darwin Schlapkohl) of Canby, MN; Jackie (Ron) Eischens of St. Leo, MN; Todd (Julie) Kack of Prior Lake, MN; Robin (David) Johnson of Fargo, ND; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; siblings: Laverne (Alice) Kack, Rita (Gene) Streff, Aggie (Ray) Kloos, Joyce (Joe) Beckermann, sister-in-law, Carol Kack, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Bernice, Alvin, Celine, Irene, Urban, and Roger; and son-in-law Randy DeVos. LeRoy passed on his mother’s birthday.