Obituary of LeRoy W. Kirschenman

LeRoy was born in Yankton County, SD on February 15, 1930 to Eugene and Emma (Kost) Kirschenman. He married Betty Watson on October 21, 1953. LeRoy lived and farmed on the Kirschenman family homestead in northern Yankton County all his life, until moving to Menno in 2013. He remained active helping on the farm however he could until his last day. He often said, “I’m not much good anymore, but I’m happy to do anything to help.” LeRoy loved to drive his car and a trip to Yankton was almost a daily event. He was drafted in the Army in January of 1952 and served in Korea and was honorably discharged in October of 1953. He served as an ambulance driver which lasted 11 months. He was given a job as front line medic for one month before returning home. LeRoy is survived by his three children: Brenda (Dean) Grussing of Little Canada, MN, son, Darwin (Carol) Kirschenman of Menno, SD and Belva (Roger) Heckenlaible of Menno, SD; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great grandchildren; 1 brother, Merlin (Shirley) Kirschenman of Moorhead, MN and 2 sisters, Ilene (Jerry) Dowling of Olympia, WA and Lorraine (Dennis) Menke of Costa Mesa, CA. LeRoy was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; 1 sister, Vernice and 1 granddaughter, Lynell Kirschenman.