Jerome LeBlanc

Jerome was born February 11, 1919 in Little Falls, MN to the late Arthur & Rose (Bastien) LeBlanc. He grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1936. After graduation, he worked for Red Owl grocery stores in Little Falls, Brainerd and Minneapolis. Jerome entered the US Army Air Corps in April, 1942. He was trained as a flight engineer and earned the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in England and became an upper turret gunner on the mighty B-17 Flying Fortress flying missions over Europe. Jerome was honorably discharged on Dec. 13, 1945 and returned to Little Falls. He was united in marriage to Esther K. Hines (while on military leave) on November 22, 1944 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. In 1946, he began working for Litchy Nash Motors as a car mechanic in the building that is now Jason’s Supper Club. In 1956 he started working for Minnesota Power & Light Co. in Little Falls, MN. He began as a meter reader and was soon promoted to the senior electrical maintenance position. After 25 years at MP&L, he retired in 1981. Jerome was honored to carry the Olympic Torch part way through Little Falls in 1990. He enjoyed dancing, waterskiing every summer until this year, playing pool, amateur ham radio operator (WA0TIY), playing cards and carpentry work. Jerome was a real handyman and could fix anything. He especially enjoyed being with family, friends and relatives. He was recognized for his civic contributions by the Mayor’s Pride Award and the Mayor’s Pride Award for Citizen appreciation. (People, Representing Initiative, Dedication and Esprit de Corp). Jerome was also honored by the VFW for the hundreds of funerals he served as part of the color guard with the United States Award. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Little Falls VFW: Little Falls American Legion and the DAV. Jerome A. LeBlanc is survived by his: Wife: Esther K. LeBlanc Sons: Wayne LeBlanc & wife, Cynthia of Centerville, MN Dean LeBlanc & wife, Barbara of Eveleth, MN Sister: Vivian Knopik of Little Falls, MN Grandchildren: Kelley LeBlanc, Julie LeBlanc, Kyle LeBlanc, Kori LeBlanc & Sara LeBlanc Klabechek Son in law:` Peter Klabechek of Andover, MN Jerome was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frederick LeBlanc; sister, Lorraine LeBlanc Richner; brothers in law, Mike Knopik, Ralph Richner Sr. & John Karpinski; sister in law, Isabel Hines Karpinski.

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Jerome LeBlanc

February 11, 1919 - November 13, 2006