Leonard Richard Krolak, age 83, of Anderson, SC, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Rainey Hospice House.

Born November 8, 1941, in Stephen, MN, he was the son of the late Frank Alois Krolak and Lucille Urbaniak Krolak. He was also preceded in death by brothers, John Krolak, Tom Krolak, Peter Krolak, and sister-in-law, Joan Krolak.

Leonard attended the University of Minnesota on a Naval ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1963 with a degree in Economics and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps. He married Diane Agnes Karels from Madison, MN. His service specialty was an artillery officer, and he was assigned to schools and duty stations in Virginia, Oklahoma, Hawaii, California, South Carolina, Georgia, and Okinawa, Japan. Leonard served two tours in Vietnam, in 1965 and 1968. His military schools included Basic Officers School (TBS), Artillery Officers School, Amphibious Warfare School, Nuclear Weapons Employment School, and Naval Instructors School. Leonard especially enjoyed his tours in Hawaii, San Diego, and teaching NROTC at the University of South Carolina. He earned a Master's Degree in Business Management in an evening program while in the Marine Corps, and taught business and economics courses part time in college settings. The last ten years in the Marine Corps were spent teaching and in logistics assignments. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Major while stationed in Albany, GA in 1983.

Throughout his military career, he earned many awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame, the Vietnam Service Medal with six stars, the RVNAPMUCCAC 1stCC1, the Navy Achievement Medal with "V" and star, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Following his military retirement, he taught business and economics courses full time at a junior college for four years. He then moved to Minnesota and taught at community colleges in Thief River Falls for five years and then Fergus Falls for five years. While working at Fergus Falls he and his wife built a home on Ottertail Lake and in 2000 built their retirement home on Battle Lake. He retired from teaching in 1997. Keeping busy in retirement was easy with all the hunting, fishing, and gardening needing to be done. In 2004, he and Diane moved to Anderson, SC where he managed some property for wildlife habitat, and served on several church and condominium association committees. He has been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 2004 where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Men's Club.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Agnes Karels Krolak; children, Lisa Krolak, Brian Krolak (Stephanie), and Joyce Monts (Eddie); brother, Daniel Krolak; sister, Mary Ann Thelen (Ken); sisters-in-law, Pat Krolak and Mary Krolak; grandchildren, Abigail Gagne (Bryan), Madison Boisvert (Jacob), Jonathan Monts, Rebecca Hall (Josh), and Joshua Monts (Eryn); and great grandchildren, Hallie, Hannah, Jacob, Jase, Cole, and Chloe.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at The McDougald Funeral Home with the rosary beginning at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Philip S. Gillespie as celebrant. Burial will follow at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School.