LeRoy Theodore Arnesen

LeRoy Theodore Arnesen, 74, of Willmar, died Monday April 22, at his home. His memorial service will be at a later date at First Lutheran of Norway Lake Cemetery in New London. Arrangements are with West Central Cremation Service in Willmar, www.hafh.org 

A graveside memorial service will be held at First Norway Lake Lutheran Church, New London, Minnesota at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Arrangements are entrusted to Harvey Anderson Funeral Home.  Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited to Zorbaz in Spicer to share pizza and memories of LeRoy.  

LeRoy was born on September 29, 1949 in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Theodore “Ted” and Harriet Engen Arnesen.  He attended Lincoln Elementary, Willmar Junior High School, and graduated from Willmar High School in 1967.  With his family he was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.   LeRoy’s family lived in New London for the first years of his life, and he attended Glenwood Elementary School for part of each of the years that his parents owned Shady Oaks Resort in Glenwood, Minnesota.  LeRoy was a member of local scout troops and athletic teams, and especially enjoyed his years in Little League baseball.  The surf music and British Invasion of the 1960s lead LeRoy into participating in local garage bands.   He loved to sing and enjoyed the local bands and parties at the Armory greatly!  

After high school, LeRoy completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Morehead State College and began graduate work in City Planning at Mankato State College.   He and his wife (Linda Zeise) moved to the metro area in the early 1970s.    Upon completion of an internship for a metro suburb, LeRoy entered into the world of finance, eventually retiring after nearly 30 years at the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis where he assisted families with finding additional funding sources for the hospitalization and care of their children.  Linda’s many years in the Scandinavian import business culminated in the joint ownership of Scandihus in Riverplace from 1988-1991. 

After his divorce, LeRoy continued living in Plymouth, Minnesota until 2022 when he moved back to Willmar, the place that was always the home of his heart.   He was particularly happy to be back in touch with his lifelong friends from the area.  

LeRoy was very close to the children of his sister, Bev.   They included him in countless number of fishing and hunting trips, card games, and family celebrations.   LeRoy loved to watch his favorite teams, the Vikings and Twins, at every opportunity.  When the Sunday games were on, you could find him at home, with his pipe in his hand, and the Sunday Star Tribune spread out all around him as he read it cover to cover.  

LeRoy in survived by  his sister, Judy Arnesen Payne of Scandia, MN;  his brothers-in-law, John Payne II and Darryl Jacobson;  six nieces and nephews, Steven (and Julie) Jacobson,  Lynelle (and John) Torgerson, Marc (and Naomi) Jacobson,  Katherine Payne,  Jack Payne, and Samantha Shankland;  ten great nieces and nephews, and;  two great-great nephews.  LeRoy was preceded in death  by his parents, his sister Beverly Arnesen Jacobson, and an older sister who died in infancy in 1941.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LeRoy Theodore Arnesen, please visit our floral store.