Jake LeRoy Jans

LeRoy Jans, of Montevideo, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025 at the St. Cloud Hospital at the age of 81.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 14th, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montevideo. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7PM on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Visitation will continue  Monday one hour before the service at the church.

LeRoy was born on May 15, 1944, to Jake and Winnie (VanderVeen) Jans on the family farm in rural Hull, Iowa. In March 1952, his family relocated to a farm outside of Boyd, Minnesota. LeRoy proudly graduated from Boyd High School in 1962 and earned an associate’s degree from Willmar Area Vocational Technical School in 1967.

On July 9, 1977, LeRoy married Carolyn Marihart at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Collis, Minnesota. LeRoy and Carolyn were blessed with one son, Doug.

LeRoy was known for his outgoing personality, quick wit, and infectious laugh. He was often found at local diners, enjoying morning, mid-morning, and afternoon coffee, and sometimes dinner. He possessed a remarkable ability to connect with anyone, a trait that served him well throughout his life.

Farming was an integral part of LeRoy’s entire life. In his early years, he milked cows before school and then fed them hay and silage afterward. By age nine, he was driving a tractor and performing tillage with a spring-tooth digger. For most of his farming career, he worked alongside his younger brother Larry until his retirement in 2004.

In 1980, LeRoy successfully ran for a county commissioner seat in Lac qui Parle. He served as chairman for several county boards and was re-elected five times, dedicating a total of twenty years to public service. LeRoy often joked that he lost his final election due to illness—the “illness” being that people were “sick of him.”

Shortly after retiring from farming, LeRoy began his second career as a greeter at Walmart, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Working at Walmart allowed LeRoy to chat and joke with almost everyone who walked through the doors. He also cherished taking breaks with his coworkers in the back room.

While LeRoy enjoyed his roles on the farm and as a Walmart greeter, his favorite role was undoubtedly that of a grandpa. LeRoy was incredibly proud of his three grandchildren and frequently shared pictures and stories about them with those around him. He especially loved spending Saturday mornings with them, taking them out for donuts at Carl’s Bakery.

LeRoy and Carolyn enjoyed an active social life. For many years, they traveled with their camper to Lake Shetek, Mill Lake, and Big Stone Lake with friends and family. Later in life, they parked a camper at the Old Wagon Campground near Paynesville, spending most summer weekends there. They also enjoyed motorcycle trips with friends, embarking on many great traveling adventures. In their later years, LeRoy and Carolyn became "snowbirds," enjoying their time at Riverwood Plantation in Estero, Florida.

Beyond his active social life, LeRoy always had a fondness for pets. Over the years, he had several loving (and spoiled) dogs, with his bulldog, Rocky, being his favorite.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his son, Doug (Nicole) Jans of Granite Falls, Minnesota; and his grandchildren, Emry, Kiptyn, and Landry. He is also survived by his brothers, Harold (Rita) Jans, Rodney (Martha) Jans, and Larry (Sue) Jans; and his sister, Faye Harms. Additionally, he leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Winnie Jans; his parents-in-law, John and Evelyn Marihart; his brother-in-law, Stanley Harms; his sister-in-law, Ann Haugen; and his niece, Brenda (Jans) Darling.