Leonard “Lenny” R. Stanek passed away at his home in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. He was 81 years old.

Leonard Robert Stanek was born on Jan. 22, 1935, to Leonard D. and Evelyn C. (Tukua) Stanek, in Austin, Minnesota. He attended schools and later received his GED. As a young man, Leonard served his country as a United States Marine. Leonard was stationed in Korea where he was wounded in the head during battle. He would later be honored with the Purple Heart for his service. Also, while in the service, Leonard participated in the Atomic Bomb testing in Ucca, Nevada, while he was stationed at Horno. He has a picture of the actual atomic bomb to prove it! He was honorably discharged on Oct. 16, 1955, Leonard was very proud to serve his country as a United States Marine.

On March 2, 1957, he was united in marriage to Sharon (Harves) in Albert Lea. To this union, the couple was blessed with five children. Leonard began working for the railroad, and continued that for a few years. He later took a job at Wilsons where he worked for 20 years before becoming a business agent for Local 6 of the UCFW serving the packinghouse workers in Albert Lea. He worked there until his retirement in 1995. Leonard and Sharon also later managed the Senior Court together for a number of years.

Leonard was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church. He also served and volunteered on many boards throughout his life. He organized and coached little league baseball, was a part of the Football Quarterback Club, served on the Hockey Association Board, and ran the concession stand for the first five years the Albert Lea City Arena opened. He also served on the Trades and Labor Senior Housing Board for 41 years, was on the United Way Board, and served 22 years on the Park and Rec Department Board. He is also a member of the Fast Pitch Hall of Fame. He enjoyed volunteering his time to help the city and community of Albert Lea grow and prosper. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and camping up north, where his family and friends would all gather.

He is preceded in death by his father, Leonard; mother, Evelyn Spilde, and step father Victor Spilde; brother “Conky” Stanek; and a brother-in-law Phillip Beaver.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon; children: Jerry Stanek of Fort Myers, Florida, Mary (Keith) Whitaker of Savage, Minnesota, Kathleen (Tim) Borland of Austin, Minnesota, David (Amy) Stanek of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Michael (Laurie) Stanek of Hayward, Minnesota; grandchildren: Jon, Dylan, Devan, Tony, Alix, Bryant, Jeremy (Caryn), Amanda (Russ) Ashley (Erik) Kirsten (Travis), Christopher (Lauren), Allyson, and Cole; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Dylan, Lindsey, Jax, Noah, Lincoln, Kylie, Taylor, and Caleb; a sister, Kay Beaver of Pine Island, Minnesota; and a special friend and comrade, Arly and his wife, Max Bachtle of Albert Lea.

Funeral services for Leonard will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, at St. Theodore Catholic Church. Father Russell Scepaniak will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 from 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County Veteran’s Organizations.