Obituary

Leonard John Kolodziej, age 68 of Goodyear, AZ died March 22, 2019, in Goodyear, AZ. He was born February 21, 1951, in St. Paul, MN to Leo and Lorraine Kolodziej. Lenny graduated from White Bear Lake High School in White Bear Lake, MN. His first job was at McDonalds. He would work his shift inside and then join his friends outside in the parking lot where they would gather and hang out. It was in that parking lot that he first met his wife, Joyce. They were married for 45 years – an easy feat, according to Joyce, when you are married to your best friend. Joyce and Lenny moved to Arizona in 1975. He worked as the locksmith for the Phoenix Elementary School District until retirement.

In his free time, Lenny coached Little League Baseball. He was involved in Little League for so many years that his baseball connections are far-reaching and he is known as “Coach” to many young men. He was the kind of man that would go out of his way to help others. He would do anything for anyone and he continued his habit of assisting others until his body would no longer cooperate. As kind-hearted as Lenny was, he also liked to pull off practical jokes.  He had a train air-horn in his diesel truck and he got great pleasure out of surprising people with it! He loved to be out and about. Dutch Brothers became a favorite place to hang out with the music playing and all the people to watch. He would always see someone he knew and would strike up a conversation until it was time to “blow this popsicle stand”.

Lenny is survived by his wife, Joyce Johnson Kolodziej; daughter, Jennifer Kolodziej; sister, Lynn (Gerry) Strenke; brothers, Larry (Lynda) and Lyle Kolodziej; and his favorite dog, Zoe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Lorraine Kolodziej.

A memorial service will be held from 1:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338.

“Say bye!”