Leonard Edward Levar Jr.

Leonard Edward Levar Jr. of Babbitt, age 75, passed away peacefully at his Bear Island Lake home on Friday, September 8, 2023 after a second battle with cancer.

Leonard was born and raised in Babbitt, Minnesota and graduated from Babbitt High School in 1966. He then went on to attend Vermilion Community College and Bemidji State University for his BA Degree in Industrial Arts. Leonard taught Industrial Arts at Babbitt High School for a few years before working at AMAX until its closure and then worked for over 23 years as an equipment operator for the St. Louis County Highway Maintenance Dept.

Lenny cleared the land and built his family’s home on Bear Island Lake from start to finish. He took pride in having the cleanest driveway in northern MN that was always free from debris and cleared immediately after or during a snowstorm. Lenny enjoyed the outdoors. He would drive the Tomahawk Road or Highway 1 following loggers scouting the next deer and grouse hunting spot or more importantly the next blueberry picking spot for his wife, Marcelle. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who could be found on Basswood Lake, somewhere in Canada, or hunting an old logging road that he previously scouted. He often was found fishing off the rock ledge most evenings at home with the minnows he trapped himself or taking an evening swim.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr. and Ann Levar, and his sister, Linda Powers.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marcelle, son Nicholas (AnnMarie) of Lakeville, grandson Carter, granddog Trigger, sister-in-law· Margy (Tom) Blauert, brothers-in-law Jimmy (Patty) Medure, Phillip (Sue) Medure, David (Dianna) Medure, Jon (Sandy) Medure, Pat (Donna) Medure, special cousins Steve, Tom, Frank, and Andy Levar, and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt, MN with Rev. Fr. Dennis Hoffman presiding. Family and friends may gather one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. 

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