Leo W. Roy, age 84, of Twin Lakes, MN, died peacefully at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley on Friday, November 29, 2019.

Leo William Roy was born in White Earth, MN, on January 31, 1935, the son of David and Christine (Rice) Roy.  He grew up in the Pine Bend area.  Leo enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country in the Korean War from March 1955 to March 1959, along with his brother and friend, Herb Roy, on the USS Ajax and USS Dixie.  Upon Leo's honorable discharge, he returned to the White Earth area where he met and married the love of his life, Marjorie "Marge" LaFriniere, on May 6, 1960.  Leo furthered his education by obtaining his GED and Auto Body Repair Certification at the Detroit Lakes Technical College.  The couple was blessed with seven children, making their home in several different communities, before eventually coming back home to the Mahnomen, MN area to raise their family.

In Leo's younger years, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Core program in the forestry field.  He also supported his family by holding several different jobs over the years as a professional driver for farmers, local trucking companies,  area spraying companies and the Casino.  Leo and Marge together owned and operated Wild Rice Auto Body Shop in Mahnomen, MN.  By far his favorite job, in his later years, was as a limousine driver for the Shooting Star Casino which allowed him to meet many famous stars.  Johnny Cash and Jerry Reed were two of his favorite customers. They were both very down to earth and refused to ride in the back of the limo, always insisting on sitting up front with Leo.  On one occasion, Johnny Cash requested Leo as a driver on Leo's day off and of course, Leo agreed. They both enjoyed the day shopping in Fargo, where Johnny Cash promptly bought Leo a leather chauffeur's cap, which Leo proudly wore. In his spare time, he was actively involved with the Mahnomen Volunteer Fire Department, enjoyed beading, and was a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast. After retirement, he and Marge enjoyed several winters in South Padre, TX, and travelled the south west states to visit family and friends.  They always returned home to South Twin Lakes in the spring to spend family time with their children and grandchildren, making many lifetime memories.

Marge passed away on April 4, 2019, just a few days after Leo was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  Over the next several months Leo proved what a true warrior he was by battling the disease with the help of his daughters and Dr. Gupta at Roger Maris Cancer Center.  He was so fortunate to remain at home under the constant care of his daughter, Wendy, who moved in with him as his nurse.  Leo's children and grandchildren all came to help care for him with much love and respect, which allowed him to remain at home where he wanted to be.

Leo is survived by three daughters: Bonnie Spaeth (Ray Bisek), Detroit Lakes, MN; Wendy Roy, Naytahwaush, MN, and Brenda Lundon, Mahnomen; three sons: Leo Roy, Jr., Detroit Lakes, Brian Roy (Jessica Rath), Cloquet, MN, and Matt Roy, Fargo, ND; 18 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and three siblings: Rose Anderson, Ada Hobbs and Robert Roy.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Marge Roy; son, Patrick Roy; granddaughter, Meredith Roy; one son-in-law, Dean Lundon; his parents, David and Christine Roy; siblings: Louis Roy, Della Roy, Benjamin Roy, Francis Roy, Georgianna Weimer, Priscilla DeFoe, Irene Cavender, Isabelle Raider and Herb Roy.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley and the Roger Maris Cancer Center for the compassionate care of Leo.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Naytahwaush, MN.  A Time of Gathering will be held at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN, on Friday, December 6, 2019, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Inurnment will take place at St. Anne's Cemetery.