Kenneth Leroy Leenerts

Kenneth Leroy Leenerts was born on November 17th, 1935, in Bruning, NE, to George and Ethel (West) Leenerts and was also baptized in Bruning.  At age 5, Kenny and his family moved to rural Boyd, MN.  He was confirmed in 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1953.  After graduation he worked with Thompson Road Construction.  On March 19th, 1958, he was drafted into the United States Army and was proud to be chosen to be a team member of the US Army bowling team in Germany.  He was honorably discharged from the Army in March of 1960. After the Army, he went back to work for Thompson Road Construction and ran the mobile station in Clarkfield.  In 1963 he went to work for Johnson's Tiling until 1975 when he started his own tiling company, Leenerts Construction. 

On September 15th, 1962, Kenny married Gerry Coubal in Cottonwood, MN.  They lived in Clarkfield and had 6 children: Kathy Leenerts, Willmar, MN, Dean (Linda) Leenerts, Redwood Falls, MN, Jim (Susan) Leenerts, Bowlus, MN, Kari (Dan) Feuerhelm, Kranzburg, SD, and Karla (Chad) Fischer, Clarkfield, MN.  Throughout the years, Kenny loved bowling, fishing, playing cards, his favorite game, marbles, and hanging out with family and friends.  He was also an ardent fan of the Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves. When taking his family fishing he would always sing "you are my sunshine". Kenny was extremely proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kenny was admitted to the Clarkfield Care Center in February of 2022, where he received excellent care and appreciated staff greatly.  

Kenny is survived by five children and their spouses; grandchildren, Becca (Tyler) Maxwell, Haley (Cal) Swedzinski, Zach (Rebecca) Fischer, Chase (Holland) Feuerhelm, Brandon Leenerts, Taylor Leenerts, Cole Fischer, Allen Leenerts; great-grandchildren, Delanie Fischer, Beau Fischer, Lillian Swedzinski, and Landon Maxwell.  

Kenny was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry Leenerts; infant son, Joseph Leenerts; parents, George and Ethel Leenerts; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Ernestine Coubal; siblings, Dale (Ethel) Leenerts, Bob Leenerts, Betty (Warner) Ostenson, and many other beloved family members.  

Kenny died on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, with family by his side at the Clarkfield Care Center at the age of 89. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 5-7 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield. Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Boyd, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Military honors and interment to follow in the Clarkfield City Cemetery. 

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