Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Leroy Garnaas
Leroy Garnaas, 79, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.
Leroy Bjorn Garnaas was born on November 9, 1943 to Bjorn Garnaas and Oresta (Paulson) Garnaas at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Leroy had no brothers or sister but several cousins which would visit. Leroy had a wonderful childhood which included swimming, bowling and traveling. He was the captain of the wrestling team while in school. He was a baptized member of the First Lutheran Church of Sheyenne, ND, Leroy was also confirmed. He graduated high school from the South Dakota School for the Visually Impaired, Aberdeen, SD. After his junior year, Leroy spent the summer studying massage at the Kansas City College of Swedish Massage, Kansas City, MO. He decided to return after high school graduation and earned his certificate on July 18, 1970. He worked in several spas and in 1970 he decided to start Leroy’s Massage Center in Sheyenne. After twenty years he had to discontinue his business because of a severe accident. He lost all vision when he was 27 years old. He lived at the Memorial Home in Maddock, ND and moved to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd around 2014.
Leroy loved sports and music. He also enjoyed acting and played the part of “Scrooge” while in high school, it seemed that this play was each Christmas and the best actor was given the part. He belonged to the ND Association of the Blind and the ND Association of Massage Therapists. He attended all conventions; state, regional and national of message therapists. He always sang solos at their banquets. He would sing solos on Memorial Day at the church and for other groups. He knew the rules of all sports, having learned them from his father. Most of all Leroy loved people.
Leroy is survived by many cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bjorn & Oresta Garnaas.
Leroy’s Visitation will be Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 10:00AM-Noon at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford.
A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 1:00PM at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd Chapel, New Rockford, ND.
His Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne, ND.
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May Leroy rest in peace. Leroy loved to listen to records and could tell you who the artist was and name the songs on both sides of the 45. He had a great devotion to his hometown of Sheyenne and its citizens.
Will miss you LeRoy, enjoyed many years with u at the LHGS. ONE OF THE MOST INTELLIGENT men I knew. Let the music play as u loved it.
He knew by my footsteps before he ever heard my voice when I came to visit at LHGS and greeted me by name. Loved visiting with him! And his mother was a precious friend!!!!
I was an aide at the Memorial Home in Maddock when Leroy lived there. Also got to meet Res, who was just the neatest lady. Leroy was an amazing man. He could hear the voice of someone he hadn’t spoken to in years, and he knew after a word who it was. The last time I saw him was in New Rockford, after several years had elapsed, and we had a great conversation. Sad to read of his passing, but happy to know he is reunited with his loving parents. May he rest in peace and God bless his memory.
I had his mother as a teacher, and she always told us about her son, and after I met Leroy, he was as talented as she told us. He would always greet you, even if he didn’t know you.
I was lucky to know Leroy most of my life. I especially enjoyed our visits when the Maddock home van would drop him off at Cendak when I worked their. Any person who would come in and say hi to him he would know them just by their voice. He was a very special man. Rest in peace Leroy.