Leroy Edward Knudsen

Leroy Edward Knudsen, 85, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away on Aug.16, 2018, while in the care of JourneyCare. He was born on Dec. 24, 1932, in Wabach, Neb., to Oluf and Margaret Knudsen. On June 15, 1957, he married the love of his life, Carol Emricson Knudsen.

He is survived by his wife, Carol (Emricson) Knudsen; three children, Kendra (Patrick) Puzzo, Kevin Knudsen, and Kecia (Mic) Griffin. He has eight grandchildren, Hannah Puzzo (Alex Badzor), Andrew (Maggie) Puzzo, Ben Puzzo, Kristen Knudsen, Kendall Natrop, Collin Natrop, Molly Griffin and Maggie Griffin. He has three great-grandchildren, Malyk, Tyanna, and Ariel.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret (Nestor) Knudsen; father, Oluf Knudsen; sister, Wilma Knudsen Moore; and granddaughter, Amanda Puzzo.

Leroy served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea at the end the Korean War. He was also a long-standing member of the Woodstock Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Leroy was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Woodstock. He enjoyed socializing with the “day time drop-ins” at Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he volunteered every week. Leroy was a tool-and-die machinist for many years. He began his career in Woodstock and then ventured to Addison, Ill., where he retired in 1999 from Mold Rite Tool & Die.

Shortly after retirement, he and Carol decided to move to rural Woodstock, where he enjoyed country life with his grandchildren and family for his final 18 years. After working 45 years to support his family, being on the road and away from home 14 hours each day, retirement was where he was finally able to enjoy and relax at home. The Knudsen family’s door was always open, and the hustle and bustle of grandchildren, friends, neighbors, and friends of friends coming in the door is what kept Leroy happy and smiling daily. The biggest thrill of his retirement was being able to watch his grandchildren grow.

There will be a graveside service at McHenry County Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, followed by a celebration of Leroy’s life at Woodstock Pourhouse in the Waverly Ballroom. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects to Leroy and the Knudsen family are welcome to attend.

For many many years, Carol and Leroy spent countless hours sitting in the auditorium at Woodstock High School enjoying their grandchildren’s performances.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Woodstock High School Music Department in memory of Leroy Knudsen, 501 W. South St., Woodstock (memo: In Memory of Leroy Knudsen).

For information, contact Schneider Leucht Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710 or www.slmcfh.com.