LeRoy Peichel

LeRoy Bernard Peichel passed away June 7, 2022 at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 76, after many years of dealing with congestive heart failure.

LeRoy was born on July 29, 1945 at St. James Hospital in Perham, Minnesota, to his parents Anthony (Tony) Peichel and Irene (Mondry) Peichel. LeRoy was the youngest of four children and grew up on the family farm near Frazee, MN.  When LeRoy was young, his mother was ill so he willingly helped her with the household chores and the gardening and canning.  He also did farm chores and field work.

After graduation from Frazee High School in 1963, LeRoy enlisted in the National Guard and went to basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon return to Minnesota, he went to work driving trucks for Swift’s turkey plant in Frazee, and then at Sanders Deep Rock gas station, also in Frazee. It was during that time he met the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Delaney. They dated for four years, and prior to their marriage on September 6, 1969 LeRoy began his long career at Snappy’s in Detroit Lakes. He began working on machinery lines, and later as a maintenance technician. Then he taught himself how to build computerized electric controls and installed them on Snappy’s industrial machines. Later he did this for Snappy’s parent corporation, Standex.  He traveled around the United States as well as to Mexico installing the controls in the various industrial plants owned by Standex. He retired from Snappy’s in 2009 after 41 years of service.

LeRoy and Pat were married for nearly 53 years. Their union was blessed with three sons, Shawn, Darin and Jeffrey, and the family made their home in rural Frazee. LeRoy was very creative mechanically, and found many ways to fix and invent things. He loved to rebuild broken things such as antique clocks, and lawn mowers and then would give them away. As his health declined, he would modify or create his own equipment to make his yard work easier. During retirement he enjoyed woodworking, and built many items including bird houses and bird feeders for family members. He himself loved to feed and watch the birds.  LeRoy enjoyed traveling before his health made it too difficult. LeRoy and Pat vacationed at Itasca State Park in the summers.  In earlier years they traveled to the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Black Hills, Mackinac Island, San Francisco, Hawaii, Chesapeake Bay, Florida, Niagara Falls and Arizona. LeRoy was devoted to his six beloved grandchildren, who adored their “Boppa,” and believed he could fix anything. LeRoy’s great sense of humor, many jokes, and quick wit were enjoyed by all who knew him; and his eagerness to lend a helping hand when needed was appreciated by loved ones.

He is survived by his wife: Patricia Peichel; sons: Shawn (Sara) Peichel, Darin (Shani) Peichel, Jeff (Liz) Peichel; grandchildren: Alexis (Jake) Monson, Maddie Peichel, Abby Peichel, Bailey Peichel, Colton Peichel, Christian Peichel; and siblings: Donna Espinal, and Donald (Kathy) Peichel and LaVera Peichel (sister-in-law).

Also surviving are the much enjoyed family pets belonging to his children and grandchildren: Kayden, Kooper, Molly and Liam.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents: Anthony and Irene Peichel; and brother: James Peichel.

Visitation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 from 3-6:00pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee with a prayer service at 5:30pm.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00AM, Monday, June 13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Due to delivery issues the floral store link has been disabled. We recommend to call a local florist in the DL/Perham area for floral needs. The staff at Furey does not plant the memorial trees, each tree is planted through the efforts of Forestry Services throughout North America who determine where the greatest needs for reforestation are.