Leonard Bernard Jurek

Leonard (Lenny) B. Jurek, age 96 of Columbia Heights, Minnesota died peacefully on Monday September 30, 2024. Descendant of Wojieck (Albert) Jurek, born March 21, 1864 (died 1961), married to Margaret Jurek; who emigrated from Poland in 1892 and settled in Split Rock Township, MN. Lenny was born March 2, 1928 in Kettle River, MN to Frank and Della (Mikrot) Jurek. Lenny graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1946. After high school he worked at Taystee Bread until he enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 28, 1949; basic training was at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, then was stationed at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam for 1 year. He was Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sargeant on November 26th 1952. Lenny was united in marriage to Eleanor (Dobosenski) Jurek on June 20th 1953. Lenny was employed by Minneapolis Moline, Univac, Charles Olson and Sons, and then Modified Tool until Lenny "retired" in 1995. During his retirement years, Lenny helped more than 40 local residents with weekly lawn care and snow blowing. In his spare time, Lenny spent many hours playing the concertina, and enjoyed tinkering around repairing small engines, rebuilding automotive parts and auto body repair. For many years, you could find lawn mowers, snow blowers, and cars, in his garage that were in need of repair. On April 27, 1973 he spotted a completely rusted out non-functioning 1946 Farmall "A" tractor in a pasture near his childhood farm. The farmer who owned the tractor accepted $25 and a quart of whiskey as payment for it, Lenny hauled it to his garage and rebuilt it from the tires up; it ran seamlessly for many, many, years. Lenny was also an inventor, who was issued patent 4,405,141 for creating the "Bumper Step" on September 20, 1983. Lenny and Eleanor enjoyed traveling together with their two children, driving their pickup truck and camper, visiting the Great Lakes by Canada, Niagara Falls, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin, North & South Dakota and many other States. Later in life, they traveled to Mexico, the Panama Canal and ultimately a trip to Poland. Lenny had made his mark in the world by being a kind and gentle soul. He was an amiable and polite man, wholehearted and genuine; his light-hearted personality and authentic smile made everyone he met, fall in love with him. Lenny was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor. Lenny is survived by his daughter Pamela Small (Ken), 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; his son Perry Jurek (Tien); two sisters Patricia Kolodge and Dorothy Halverson; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation October 17, one hour before the service from 10 - 11 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 4030 Jackson St NE, Columbia Heights. Small luncheon following service, internment at Gethsemane Cemetery after the luncheon.

Tributes

Leonard Bernard Jurek

March 2, 1928 - September 30, 2024

Tributes

Leonard Bernard Jurek

March 2, 1928 - September 30, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203