LeRoy Anthony Vonasek

LeRoy Vonasek, 85, of Warren, MN, passed away Tuesday morning, January 6, 2026, at North Valley Health Center in Warren.

LeRoy Anthony Vonasek was born on March 13, 1940, the son of Henry and Anna (Sirek) Vonasek. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and a longtime member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. LeRoy was raised on a farm between East Grand Forks, MN, and Tabor, MN, until the age of eleven. He attended country school before graduating from Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks in 1957.

Following graduation, LeRoy joined the North Dakota National Guard at the age of 17. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. On September 3, 1960, LeRoy married Yvonne Filipi in Tabor. The couple farmed near Tabor for ten years before moving to Warren, where LeRoy built the family home one mile east of town.

He was known as a man with many trade skills and a strong work ethic. Upon moving to Warren, he began working at Robertson Lumber and later managed the Redi-Mix Concrete Plant. In 1972, he joined Warren International Harvester, which later became Warren Implement, where he served as Service Manager overseeing equipment repairs. In 1980, LeRoy began employment with the Marshall County Highway Department as a mechanic. His ability to operate and repair the department’s trucks and machinery was well known. During the 1997 flood, LeRoy built a sandbagging machine that is still in use today and has assisted Warren and surrounding communities with flood protection efforts. In 2002, LeRoy was elected Marshall County District 1 Commissioner, serving the county and its employees for 16 years.

LeRoy was deeply involved in his community and county. He served on the McCrea Township Board for 30 years and was a proud 35-year member of the Warren Volunteer Ambulance. He was also a member of the Marshall County Posse, the Warren Rod and Gun Club—where he helped construct the rifle range—and a longtime member of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. LeRoy volunteered on the Marshall County Fair Board for 29 years and continued as an Honorary Director. Fair time was a favorite for LeRoy, whether he was working on building maintenance or hauling demo cars with the payloader. He was named Fair Person of the Year for District 9 in 2019.

He was active in the Warren American Legion Club, serving as Commander and Adjutant. LeRoy took great pride in helping with the development and design of the Veterans Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. Each year, he assisted fellow volunteers in placing memorial flags, honoring those who served their country, their families, and the community. LeRoy also served on the rifle squad.

In his free time, LeRoy loved horses, building buggies, and traveling west to Roger Hille’s ranch for cowboy fun. He enjoyed Ranger rides, hunting, and helping at Baird Farms. Most of all, LeRoy cherished being with people—listening, lending a hand, and helping whenever he could. He completed countless construction and remodeling projects over the years, touching the lives of many families, farms, and organizations. Though impossible to list them all, his work brought lasting value and many smiles.

Grateful to have shared LeRoy’s life are his wife of over 65 years, Yvonne; three children, Loren Vonasek of Aitkin, MN, Amy Lyn (Kelly) Turgeon of Wahpeton, ND, and Paula (Mike) Bodell of Roseau, MN; four grandchildren, Dion (Amy) Turgeon, Marie (Matt) Miller, Kelsey (Jake) Mellmer, and Kyle (Alexis) Bodell; ten great-grandchildren, with one on the way; siblings, Ralph Vonasek, Judy Kuzel, and Stan (Laurie) Vonasek; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Anna Vonasek.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM, in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Warren, MN.
VISITATION: One hour before Mass.
INTERMENT: Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Warren, MN, to which we will process in his handmade horse-drawn hearse.
MILITARY HONORS: Warren American Legion Post 27 and the US Army Honor Guard.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Memorials preferred to the Warren American Legion, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, NVHC Ambulance or the Marshall County Fair.

To watch a video of LeRoy's Mass of Christian Burial, please click the link: LeRoy Vonasek Mass of Christian Burial

To watch a video of LeRoy's funeral procession, please click the link: LeRoy Vonasek Funeral Procession