NEW ULM–Leonard John (Lenny) Donahue, age 85, of New Ulm, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Carriage House Senior Living in Le Center, MN.

A private family service will be held at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel in New Ulm. Ennichement will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery Columbarium.

Lenny is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Vicki Donahue and Tim Tworzyanski of New Ulm, MN; Lorri Krozack of Chester, MD; son, Jeffry Donahue of Long Beach, CA; granddaughters, Adrienne and Natalie Krozack of Kent Island, MD; siblings, brother and sister-in-law, Parnell and Mary Donahue of Brentwood, TN; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila Eickman of Chisago City, MN; Sharon and Jeff Marvin of Rapid City, SD; Noreen Miller of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Pat Donahue of New Ulm; Kathleen and Joel Schwarz of New Ulm; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaDonna in October 2023; his parents, Melvin and Gertrude Donahue; sisters and brothers-in-law, Myrna and Don Lage, Arlene (Dedee) and Jerry Champion, brothers-in-law, Jim Eickman, and Jim Miller.

Leonard John Donahue was born on September 12, 1940, in Westbrook, MN to Melvin and Gertrude (Leonard) Donahue. He was a 1958 graduate from Cathedral High School in New Ulm, MN. Leonard was united in marriage to LaDonna Zins on June 20, 1959, at Swan Lake Catholic Church in rural Nicollet. This union blessed the couple with 3 children who were raised in Fairmont and later New Ulm.

In the mid 1970’s, Lenny and his wife, Donna, bought Current’s Meat Locker business and thus began their sausage making career. They owned and operated Lenny’s Meats, and later the Sausage Shop. During this time, Lenny entered his products in the Minnesota State Fair and in the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors competition for which he received numerous awards. Lenny and Donna also catered food for many local area events while running the Sausage Shop.

Lenny was a member of the Cathedral of Holy Trinity in New Ulm, the New Ulm Lions Club, the Concord Singers, and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Association in New Ulm. He was given the honor of being a member of the relay running team that carried the Olympic torch through New Ulm – and he was chosen to light the torch! After retiring from the Sausage Shop, Lenny worked at Schell’s Brewery as a tour guide. In retirement, Lenny enjoyed spending time with family, friends and traveling abroad. He also enjoyed gardening, back yard barbeque and cooking.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook: www.mvfh.org

Memorial donations to: Cure Alzheimer’s Fund – https://curealz.org

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