Charles “LeRoy” Keenlyne Sr., age 88 of Elmwood, died peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Eau Claire.

He was born to Albert and Tillie (Johnson) Keenlyne on September 4, 1928, in Buffalo County, WI. He grew up on the family farm on Maxville Prairie. He went to High School in Nelson WI. After high school, he took a short course in Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin Madison. LeRoy married Josephine Elaine Kadinger on October 27, 1952, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Eau Galle WI. LeRoy farmed on the home farm on Maxville Prairie until April, 1962 before moving to a farm southeast of Elmwood, WI. In 1977 he purchased another farm about two miles away in Big Missouri Valley, Elmwood, WI. In 1985 he retired and rebuilt a house in Elmwood. In 1988 not satisfied with retirement, he bought another farm about a half mile from the original farm on Holly Smith Hill and returned to farming. In 2006, he built a new house on the same property. In 2007 LeRoy and Josephine were given a “Scenic Beauty Award” in Menomonie WI, in acknowledgment of the scenic improvement they had accomplished on their Holly Smith Hill farm.  In 2008 he, again, decided to retire. Enjoying all kinds of hunting, he was best known as an avid deer hunter. LeRoy hunted right through his 88^th birthday, where as usual, he got his buck.

LeRoy loved the outdoors, the Packers, his dog Squirt, traveling, dancing and playing cards. He took great pride in his ability to design and build. LeRoy enjoyed tinkering, he enjoyed inventing and creating new things. Most of all, LeRoy loved spending time with his family and friends especially teasing his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

LeRoy is survived by his wife; Josephine of 64 years, daughters, Karen (Dwight) Johnson, Spring Valley, WI; Sharon (Tom) Micek, Menomonie, WI; Marilyn (Tim) Bowell, Elmwood, WI; sons, Charles Jr. “Chuck” Pepin, WI; Kirk (Joyce) Glenwood City, WI; Bruce (Theresa) and Rodney (Charlet), both of Elmwood, WI. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother and sister-in-law; Kent (Lamoyn) Keenlyne, Mobile, AL; and a brother-in-law James Mork, Shakopee, MN and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one grandson Adrian Johnson, seven sisters and four brother-in-laws Charlotte (Grant) Seitz, Esther “Leota” (Carl) Felde, Doris (Gerald) Andre, Jeanne (Leslie) Stewart, Muriel Keenlyne, Marlene Mork, Carmen Keenlyne and one brother Harland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Monday, June 12, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood. Burial will be in the church cemetery following the ceremonies. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM Sunday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.  

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. Gordon & LaVina Gifford June 12, 2017, at 3:07pm

   Fondly remembering LeRoy and Jo as our Maxville, WI neighbors. In later years when we ran into them by chance, they were both always good natured, friendly, fun to visit with and enjoying life. They were a handsome couple on the dance floor. They loved to dance!

2. Jim Tschumperlin June 12, 2017, at 5:32am

   So sorry for the your loss, my thoughts and prayers for all your family.

3. Katie (Tschumperlin) Stoudt June 10, 2017, at 8:10pm

   My thoughts and prayers to the friends and family! Leroy was a wonderful man that I will always have a fond memory of. He was a genuine man with a heart of gold and always had joke and a smile that lit up the room.

4. BRACH SEITZ June 10, 2017, at 6:30pm

   my sympathy to the family. it is not only a loss to the immediate family but to the countless nieces and nephews whose lives he touched in so many ways with his knowledge, praise and laughter. a godson brach seitz

5. Dellann Weisenbeck June 10, 2017, at 10:52am

   Good bye dear friend, we'll miss the family get-togethers and fun times, although you'll be there in spirit to get us through the good and bad times. Say hi to Tom for me & I'm sure he's showing you around. My sincere sympathy to Jo and Family. Dellann

6. Gary and Judi Bauer June 8, 2017, at 7:15pm

   Our sympathy to the Family of Leroy.

7. Luanne Dallman June 8, 2017, at 4:17pm

   My condolences to all the Keenlyne Family. Remember that memories are blessings ..Love is eternal! God Bless and Comfort each of you.

8. Tracy Johnson June 8, 2017, at 7:37am

   Aunt Jo and entire Keenlyne family, I am sorry for your loss. Uncle LeRoy was an amazing man! Know that God is with him now and with you every moment!

   Love, Tracy

9. Robin (Gasteyer) Warner June 7, 2017, at 10:09am

   Keenlyne Family: So sorry to hear about LeRoy. My sympathies to the entire family.

10. Sue (wolf) Sperger June 6, 2017, at 7:00am

    Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

11. Jody (Weber) Christen June 6, 2017, at 6:19am

    My sympathy to all of the Keenlyne family. LeRoy was always so full of life and energy. I had the best conversation with him at my parent's "80th" birthday party. May God give you strength and peace as you walk this journey.

12. Bruce and Anita Haskins June 5, 2017, at 7:09pm

    Our sympathies from ex-neighbors, god bless!

13. Patrick and Krista Lieffring June 5, 2017, at 1:11pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time...

14. Cheerio and Wendy Campbell June 5, 2017, at 10:40am

    Aunt Jo and Family, We are heartbroken to hear about Uncle Leroy

15. Ken and Dianne Powell June 5, 2017, at 10:31am

    Remember helping him in the "milk parlor" and learning how to milk the cows. Couldn't figure out how I kept getting squirted by cow's milk until I caught him squirting me! He always made me laugh and he made each of us feel good about ourselves. Will so miss him. Love forever, Uncle LeRoy.

16. Suzi Crownhart June 5, 2017, at 7:36am

    My sympathy to the Keenlyne Family.

17. Linda Stary June 4, 2017, at 11:15pm

    Josephine and family
    LeRoy was a wonderful man, so full of life and good times...he will be missed. The few times that we met, he always thanked me for raising such great kids. Even though Tiff and Tori were 'step' grandchildren, he never let that deter him from calling them his own. I will miss him too.

18. Janelle Hinrichs June 4, 2017, at 9:08pm

    Dance with the angels Uncle Leroy. Be at peace now. Love you.

19. Hollenbeck Family (Rogers) June 4, 2017, at 8:50pm

    Had the privilege of meeting him a handful of times, and every time he always had a smile on his face and was never shy in showing his love for his family. My heart is heavy with hearing he was called home, and my family and I send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences.

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