LeRoy O. Ashland

1941 - 2025

Kenyon - LeRoy Omund Ashland, age 84 of Kenyon, died unexpectedly on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

LeRoy was born June 8, 1941, on the family farm in Cooperstown, Griggs County, ND. He was the youngest of four children of Jens and Myrtle (Lier) Ashland. LeRoy helped on the family farm throughout his childhood and until he graduated from college. He was the pitcher to be reckoned with on the local high school and legion baseball teams during his time in Cooperstown.

LeRoy attended Mayville State Teachers College, where he met Janice Paupst and they were united in marriage on June 16, 1963, in Gilby, ND. LeRoy graduated from college in 1964 and they moved to Kenyon later the same year for his first career job as a 5th grade teacher at Kenyon Elementary School. He and Janice established their roots in Kenyon where they raised their three children and found lasting friendships and community. LeRoy retired from Kenyon-Wanamingo Elementary School as a 5th grade teacher 34 years later, in May of 1998. During his teaching career, LeRoy was also a high school football and golf coach, and oversaw the school district's summer recreation program for several years while his own children were young. During the summer months he did carpentry work for Broin Construction until learning the trades of a crop adjuster and working for Rain and Hail. Based on his love for driving the country roads and visiting with farmers, he worked full time as an adjuster after retiring from teaching.

LeRoy was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon and the Kenyon Country Club. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed the outdoors throughout life, including snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and daily walks. He was the biggest supporter of his three children and never missed a songle activity or sporting event of any of them. He was a reading enthusiast, loved coffee, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching his great grandchildren grow in recent years.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Janice; three children, Brent Ashland (Kay Shaw) of Farmington, Brian Ashland (Karisa) of Eau Claire, WI and Bryn Bridley (Aaron) of Northfield; five grandchildren (Kayla Mullen, Emily Ashland, Peyton Ashland, Chandler Ashland, and Elijah Bridley) and two great-grandchildren (Maya Mullen and Chloe Mullen).

He was preceded in death by a sister (Donna Lou) and two brothers (Clifford and Gordon).

A Celebration of LeRoy's Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the church prior to the service. Interment will be held at a later date at the Kenyon Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Michaelson Funeral Home of Kenyon. Please visit www.michaelsonfuneral.com to leave a condolence for LeRoy's family.