April 9, 1937 – July 5, 2021
information provided by Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home
Leonard W. Surufka, age 84 of Lansing, IL, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 5, 2021. He was born on April 9, 1937, at home in East Chicago, IN, the son of Frank and Agatha (Synos) Surufka. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carol Ann (Bonner); children: Daniel, Dennis (Maria), Deanna (Kevin) Hoogeveen, Thomas (Deborah) and Terry; grandchildren: Joshua and Rebecca Ross, Ryan, Kyle, Alec, Erich, Colin and Jessica; great-grandchildren: Ryder and Cannen; sister-in-law: Rosie Surufka and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by siblings Antoinette “Toni” (Walter) Sowa, Mary (Joseph) Gorney, Joseph (Ann), John (Theresa), Edward “Sam” (Dolores and Anna), and Chester. He was the youngest and last of the Surufka children, all first generation Polish Americans.
Lenn graduated from East Chicago Roosevelt High School in 1955. Then, while working at Youngstown Steel, he attended DeVry Tech. After graduating from DeVry, he was hired by 3M Company and worked there for many years, making some lifelong friends. He left 3M to turn his passion for cars into a new work career. In 1974, he opened an automotive restyling business called Crown Tops in Hammond, Indiana, later renamed Carlen Corp. Despite the long hours and hard work, he was very happy with his decision and loved going to the shop. Eventually, it was time for him to retire and focus on more enjoyable activities. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, listening to jazz music, eating movie theater popcorn, going to car races and auto shows, keeping up with electronic technology, and almost anything car related. He also enjoyed doing home and woodworking projects and his work required perfection, a trait he passed on to his kids. Lenn loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren and did the worrying for all of us. His family and the time spent with them meant the world to him. The kids could always put a smile on his face. He was a very loving, kind, and generous man who will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL from 3 – 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be on Monday, July 12, 2021, at 10 a.m. followed by 11 a.m. Mass at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Lansing, IL. Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s Disease, Lansing Food Pantry, or The Share Foundation.
