LeRoy Durland Seely, 96, of St. James, died peacefully Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System-St. James, after a short illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 4, at First Lutheran Church in St. James, with Rev. K. Christian Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery with military honors provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements were with Sturm Funeral Home, St. James. Family condolences may be sent online at www.sturmfh.com.
Roy was born in Westbrook on April 6, 1917, and lived in St. James, Sioux Falls, Worthington and England during WWII. He was proud of his military service with the Army Air Corps and often told of singing "Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer" during his first solo flight. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion. Roy loved being a rail like his father and between them they had 90 years of service. He received his 60 year pin from the United Transportation Union last fall. Roy was unique. He enjoyed entertaining with dance steps, juggling, card tricks, whistling, singing ditties and telling jokes all with his mischievous grin. He was athletic, loved playing golf, baseball and watching basketball, especially the Gopher Girls team. Roy and Louise spent two decades wintering in Florida and they made many life-long friends there. They also traveled to Europe, Canada and many states on their own and on bus tours.
Roy leaves behind his daughter, Nancy Ringen and her husband Steve; granddaughter, Brianna; Louise's children, Sandra and Tom Kratz, (David and Michael), Nancy and Gary Hamer (Todd and Kristi) and Fritzi and Mark Hagen (Jessica, Cara and Luke); 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and will miss him. His parents; wives, Vera and Louise; and siblings, Clark, Marge and Betty, all preceded him in death.
Published in the St. James Plaindealer (MN), Thursday, June 6, 2013, page 5
[Great Grandson of SGS # 3664 - LeRoy Durland; Orel Jay; Clark Workman; Francis Tuttle (# 3664); Isaac Brewster (#1660); Bazaleel; Bazaleel; Ebenezer, Jonas; Obadiah]
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