Roland “Ron” Leak, 86
Published 7:53 am Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Roland “Ron” Leak, 86, of Ellendale, Minnesota, passed away suddenly doing what he loved on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
Rolandwas born on March 19, 1933, in Canton, South Dakota, to Bernard (“Sandy”) and Lillian (Kabe) Leak. Soon after, the family moved to Minnesota Lake, Minnesota, where he grew up. Ron graduated from Minnesota Lake High School in 1951. He went to Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, and would obtain his business degree.
On Nov. 29, 1955, Ron was united in marriage to Marjorie (Erdner) at St. John’s Lutheran Church – Danville Township. A week later, Ron began his military service for the United States Army. He served honorably from 1955-1958. Following his service, the couple settled in Ellendale, Minnesota, where they started a family.
Ron began working in the poultry business with his father. After years of operating Ron’s Poultry Service, he switched gears and began working in recycling and scrap metal. I’m not sure if you can call it work — because he truly loved what he did. When he wasn’t out looking for scrap metal, you could find Ron collecting other things, like butter boxes and coins. He was a member of the Owatonna Coin Club for years, and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
After playing basketball in high school and college, he maintained a love of all sports throughout his life. Ron would always stop to visit and loved talking to everyone. Above all, Ron loved the joy his grandchildren brought into his life. He was hard-working, generous, knowledgeable, and caring, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his two daughters, Mayro (Matthew) Kubista of Loyal, Wisconsin and LaNell (Michael) Sunde of Austin, Minnesota; grandchildren, Tamerat, Edrea, Abrial, and Sagia Kubista, Kendyl and Ayvah Sunde; sister in-law, Karen Leak; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by both parents; his wife, Marge; siblings, Konrad (Laura) Leak, Donald Leak, and Bonnie McCarthy; and a nephew, Michael Leak.
Funeral services for Roland will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at First Lutheran Church, in Blooming Prairie, with the Rev. Mike Walerius officiating. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service. Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery – Danville Township, in Blue Earth County.