Leonard "Lenny" E Monroe

Leonard “Lenny” Edward Monroe, age 70, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on September 6, 1954. He was the eldest of five children and was born to Leonard and Lorene (Mares) Monroe. He entered eternal rest, with his family by his side,on July 23, 2025.

Lenny attended Saratoga Elementary. During those years, one of his favorite things to do in the summer was attend a YMCA camp in Minnesota, where he looked up to his camp leader, Jim Ritchey. Lenny’s first job was delivering newspapers with his brother, Larry. They would spend their paychecks at Taco Kid on 17th and Van Dorn. He then went onto Irving Jr. High. He worked at Kuhl’s restaurant on 10th and ‘O’, working roles from bussing tables to cooking. That is where he learned how to make his “famous” liver and onions (not-so-famous for Bryson and Brianne, bleh). He used his hard-earned money to restore his 1949 Ford, which included reupholstering with gold velvet. A spur-of-the-moment decision that a young teenager would make. The Ford is in storage now…. With the gold velvet intact. Lenny graduated from Lincoln High in 1972. While there, he sang in the school’s chorus and was the baseball team manager. He was very proud of his 1969 GTX, and would take it cruising down ‘O’ street. In October of ‘72, he met the love of his life, Janel Van Gundy, on a blind date. Soon after, he felt he needed to decide between his gasguzzling muscle car or his girlfriend, so he sold his first love of his life. That same year, Lenny started his 42-year career at Nebraska Book Company at the sorting table, packing up college textbooks. He later became an account rep, which included traveling often to colleges in several states. Unfortunately, in 2014, his career ended when the company was sold.

Lenny and Janel were married on August 15, 1975, in Lincoln, NE and had three children; Summer was born in1976, Bryson in 1980, and Brianne in 1982. The three of them will always cherish the nicknames they were given by Lenny when they were little –Summertime, Bubba, and Punkin’. With Lenny’s Wisconsin Lutheran Synod upbringing, he and Janel instilled a strong faith in their children. His priority was to be a provider and protector for his family. With the fierce love he had for them, he was the ultimate family man. Lenny enjoyed hunting upland birds with his German Shorthaired Pointers, along with hunting buddies and his son. He was skilled and creative with wood working, their home renovations, repairing Janel’s antiques, and making many homemade Halloween costumes for their kids. A favorite memory for Lenny and his family was caravanning to Minnesota with Terry, Lorry and their kids for several summers. Lenny’s craving for an El Sitio “bean and cheese burrito, no microwave, no cheese sauce on top, so I can just pick it up and eat it” will always be one of the family’s favorite funniest memories. Ironically, El Sitio was also at 17th and Van Dorn years later after Taco Kid. When Lenny wasn’t watching Westerns, tear-jerking Hallmark movies, Star Trek, Twilight Zone or other ridiculously fake sci-fi shows, he was creating an Excel spreadsheet for anything he thought needed a spreadsheet.

Lenny was blessed with five granddaughters who meant the world to him. He loved every minute of being their GPa. They brought him so much joy during his healing process over the past four years while he was recovering from multiple brain bleeds. Lenny’s family is incredibly proud of his resilience, strength, and how hard he fought. He is now with his Lord in heaven with the most glorious sights and sounds that none of us can even imagine yet!

Lenny is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Janel; daughter, Summer (Aaron, and daughters, Ariel and Evynn) Wells of St. Paul, NE; son, Bryson (Kendra, and daughter, Azlin) Monroe of Cortland, NE; daughter, Brianne (Justin, and daughters, Payten and Parker) Hladky of Lincoln, NE; brother, Les (Shawn Lewis) Monroe of Lincoln, NE; sister, Leigh Monroe of Lincoln, NE; brothers-in-law, Michael (Peggy) Van Gundy of Ballwin, MO, Terry (Lorry) Van Gundy of Auburn, NE; nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lorene; brother, Larry Monroe; sister-in-law, LaRai Monroe; brother, LeRoy Monroe; cousin, James Monroe; cousin, Linda (Caler) Schomaker; in-laws, Al and Esther Van Gundy.

Visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, NE, 68512.

Lenny was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark Lutheran Church, where his church service will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:00 am. 3930 S 19th St., Lincoln, NE, 68502. Lunch will be provided at the church after the service.

Burial will be held immediately after lunch for those who wish to attend. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, NE, 68512.

Memorials can be designated to the family for traumatic brain injury research, or for future education.