Leroy "Guy" Gene Petry, 79, of Fertile, MN passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012 surrounded by his family at the Lutheran Memorial Home, Twin Valley, MN. He was born on April 23, 1932, to Albert and Alma (Leiser) Petry in Lockhart, MN. Leroy attended school in Lockhart, where he was also baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church. Following his schooling, Leroy worked on the family farm. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1955.
On January 3, 1954, Leroy was united in marriage to Mernice Helm at St. Johns Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. They lived on the farm southwest of Fertile (the original Petry homestead), where Leroy grew small grains, sunflowers, corn and soybeans. In the fall of 2005 they moved to Fertile and retired from farming.
Leroy was active in many organizations around the area. He was a member of the St. Johns Lutheran Church, where he served on the council. Leroy was also active with the American Legion Post #238, Lockhart Snowmobilers, and the Spring Creek Township.
Leroy was a very patient and giving man. He always led by example. Leroy loved farming and was a great steward of the land. He left a legacy for generations to come as he and his family planted over 80,000 trees in the last 25 years. Leroy was recognized by the Wild Rice Watershed District in 2008 for his lifetime of conservation and stewardship.
Survivors are his wife, Mernice, Fertile, MN; two sons, Greg (Bonnie), Moorhead, MN and Tim (Jodi), Fertile, MN; eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; two brothers: Luverne (Carol) and Don (Ethel), both of Ada, MN; one sister, Elaine (Orville) Thorsteinson IN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Deann Alonzo, one son, Dan and two brothers, Vernon and Alvin.

Funeral services will be on Friday, February 24, 2012, at 10:30a.m. in the Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 23, 2012, from 5-7p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30p.m. in the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home
Fertile, MN

Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.

www.eriksonvikfh.com