Lennard “Len” James Morrissey, 81, of Mesa, AZ, passed away suddenly on June 16, 2023 while recovering from a recent illness.
Len was born on April 20, 1942 to Gene and Virginia Morrissey in Aberdeen, SD. He attended school in Aberdeen and after graduation went on to study and receive a degree in Media at Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN.
While attending Brown Institute, Len met Jean Donna Smith and they were married on November 24, 1961. The marriage was blessed with 3 children; Scott, Tammy and Brad. Len worked in broadcasting in Aberdeen, SD, Worthington, MN, Manchester, IA, Detroit Lakes, MN and Long Prairie, MN. He and his family returned to Aberdeen, SD where he managed Leo’s Good Foods restaurant. The family moved to Superior, WI where he worked at a television station in Duluth, MN. The family moved to Eagle Bend, MN where they owned the Mainstreet Cafe for 9 years. During this time Len wrote a popular sports column “Mainstreet Sports” for the Eagle Bend News Herald. The community looked forward to reading this weekly column, with the school athletes anticipating their name being mentioned in his column.
After the marriage ended Len relocated to Grand Forks, ND where he met and married Lyndell Johnson. During these years he worked as General Manager of KNOX-AM in Grand Forks, and Clear Channel Radio in Bismark, ND. In 2001 they moved to Edina, MN and Len retired from radio, but continued his love for golf by working summers at the Edina Country Club. Later, they moved to Chicago where he worked at the North Brook Park District Golf Course.
Len arrived in Mesa, AZ in March of 2013. He spent the last 10 years of his life in Mesa, AZ where he was surrounded by a wonderful community of friends. Throughout his life, Len enjoyed anything sports related with special interest in Golf, he also loved traveling with family and friends. Special memories were made with his family while attending MN Vikings, Twins, and Green Bay Packers games. He frequently talked about and cherished the many friendships that were made while living in Mesa, including Orchard Mesa Active Senior Living and Superstition Springs Golf Club.
Len was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Virginia, and brothers Mike and Tim Morrissey. Len is survived by his son Scott (Kim) Morrissey, daughter Tammy Morrissey, son Brad (Leslie) Morrissey; Grandchildren Kellen (Felicia) Morrissey, Jake (Sara) Moller, Ryan (Meranda) Moller, Tasha (Paul) Starkovich, Joshua (Jessica) Morrissey, and Jordan (April) Morrissey; and Great-Grandchildren Aleigha, Lily, Layla, Mariah, Eva, Dani, Leah, James, Melody, Aubrey, Mia, Kaiden, Riley, Miley, Aspen, Avery, Tyler, and Trayton.
Jerry & Sonia are so saddened with Len passing.. Prayers to the family, cherish all the wonderful memories. We shared ❤️ many wonderful times together, Neil Diamond concert, endless conversations, good laughter, he was a good friend to Jerry, he will be missed. 🙌
It was a pleasure knowing and growing with you in Aberdeen. Rest in peace.
We have such fond memories of Len…his picture and name are on many articles he wrote about our children…may you be comforted by your memories.
Curt and Bonnie Hansen