Leonard Blais

Leonard A. Blais, age 89, of Faribault, MN, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Castle Ridge Senior Living in Eden Prairie, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault, with Fr. Steven LaCanne, officiating. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Leonard Archie was born on February 20, 1927 on the family farm in Kilkenny, MN to Albert and Catherine (O'Neil) Blais. He was united in marriage to Emily Pirkl on August 23, 1947 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. Leonard farmed until 1952, and then worked at the Faribault Regional Center for 10 years. He then worked at Contour Plastics in Bloomington until his retirement in 1990. Leonard loved music, sang in the choir, and enjoyed his flower and vegetable garden. Most of all, he was proud of his large family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Emily; 10 children, Larry (Marty) Blais, Roger (Nancy) Blais, Barbara (Dean) Norman, Sam (Jill) Blais, Pam (Pete) Hilyar, David (Lhena) Blais, Julie (Dave) Pexa, Bonita (Allen) Kern, Rose (John) Hagen, and Elaine (Paul) Morley; 35 grandchildren; 48 great grandchildren; sister, Teresa (Bob) Ballentine; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Catherine; two children, Mary Miller-Boardway and Christine Blais; three sisters, Deloris LaCanne, Bea Kern, and Mildred Paquette; and two grandchildren, Naomi Castle and Shaun Van Thomme.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Academy or Divine Mercy Catholic School.