Leon Nadeau

Leon A. Nadeau, 89, of Hugo, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2022.

Leon Albert Nadeau was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 6, 1933 and was raised in Centerville, Minnesota. He was one of five children to Carrie (nee Wilharbor) and Leon P. Nadeau.

After meeting her through a blind date in a Forest Lake malt shop, Leon proposed to Diane M. Nadeau (nee Hamelin) and the two were married on October 2, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Lino Lakes. After starting a family in his father's apartment building in Centerville, he and Diane moved to Hugo in September 1963 after buying Marier's Market, which they renamed to Nadeau's Star Market. For 21 years they raised their family in the building's second floor, while "the store" - as it was known within his family - quickly became a staple of the local community and stayed in the family for more than four decades.

Leon was known as a selfless individual and a generous member of his community. As a devout Roman Catholic and devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Hugo (now known as the Church of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Centerville), he joined Diane in teaching youth Catechism classes, running the ice cream stand at the church's annual horse show, and giving countless hours in service to the parish and the well-being of his surrounding community. Leon was also an active member of the Hugo Lion's Club and a volunteer at the Hugo Fire Department. He always asked his family members to donate to charity in lieu of gifts for his birthday and Christmas, and quietly began and closed each day in prayer.

Amid all his volunteering and running of a business, Leon's top priority was raising a wonderful family of 12 children. He enjoyed taking them on camping and fishing trips, including to Tom Tom's Resorts in Northern Minnesota, and was incredibly proud to see the wide variety of talents, personalities and blessings that his children bestowed upon him. As his children grew older, Leon began traveling internationally with Diane, including an especially meaningful trip to the Holy Land. Leon's sense of humor was widely known, and erred on the side of "dad jokes" - to the extent that he regularly gave "100 Best Dad Jokes" and similarly titled books to his grandchildren as Christmas gifts.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Carrie Nadeau; his sisters, Lorraine Cody and Doris Dufrane; his son, Larry Nadeau; and his daughter, Kathy Nadeau. He is survived by his wife Diane M. Nadeau, his children, Jim (Evie) Nadeau of Maryland, Tim Nadeau of Hugo, Dan (Patsy) Nadeau of White Bear Township, Bob (Rose) Nadeau of California, Jerry (Hope) Nadeau of New Richmond, Kevin (Nancy) Nadeau of North Branch/Sunrise, Tom Nadeau of White Bear Lake, Rick Nadeau of Pine City, Denise (Mark) Lutz of Hugo, and Janet (Steve) Genord of Hugo; their 25 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; Leon's two sisters, Mary Jane and Phyllis; and many other loving family and friends.

Funeral Wake will be held from 5 PM - 8 PM on Monday, 12/26/22 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, 12/28/22 at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church, St. Johns Site, 14363 Forest Blvd N Hugo, with visitation from 9:30 AM until the time of mass. Burial to be held at 10 AM on Friday, 12/30/22, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 5446 147th St N, Hugo. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/ or any local food shelf.