John A. Conroy

John Anthony Conroy, age 64, formerly of Le Sueur, died Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the St. Cloud VA Hospital where he has been a patient since December, 2011. The son of Charles and Helen Conroy of Le Sueur, John was born at the St. Peter Community Hospital on Dec. 28, 1949. He graduated from St. Anne's Catholic Grade School in Le Sueur in 1964 and from Le Sueur High School in 1968. Immediately after high school John enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY (June - Nov. 1968), Germany (Nov. 1968 - Sept. 1969), and Vietnam (Oct. 1969 - Jan. 1971). During his 14-month tour in Vietnam he served with the 65th Artillery in locations near the DMZ such as Phu Bai, Da Nang and Hue and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement. Following military service, John returned to Minnesota and attended Mankato Area Vo-Tech to study culinary arts. He was employed as a cook and chef for several years in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida until taking an employment opportunity in heavy construction in the Twin Cities area. As the result of a work-related injury he was unable to continue work in heavy construction. In 2003 he moved to Isle, MN, where he purchased a property on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake and began working light carpentry jobs. Much of his time, however, was now devoted to doing what he enjoyed most - spending time in the great outdoors. John especially valued the camaraderie of numerous hunting and fishing partners over the years as well as the satisfaction of guiding anglers on Mille Lacs on his prized 33-foot fishing boat. With his Labrador Queenie by his side, nature was where he was most content and at peace. With a gift of gab, enduring sense of humor and a big heart, his passing is a loss felt by many. John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles in 1985 and Helen in 2001. He is survived by brothers, Tom (Mary) of New Ulm, Chuck (Pam) of Elgin, IL, Steve (Paulette) of Monticello, Kevin (Sue) of Trempeleau, WI, and sister, Margaret (Kevin) of Le Sueur, and numerous nieces and nephews. A remembrance and celebration of John's life will be held at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur at 3:30 p.m., Friday, January 31. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the celebration at the funeral home. Following the commemoration the family invites everyone to a gathering at The Bar in downtown Le Sueur beginning at 4:30 p.m.