Leroy A. Mahnken

Leroy A. Mahnken, 87, passed to eternal life on October 3, 2026. He was born to Arthur Mahnken and Dorothea Borchers Mahnken in Sedalia, MO on May 15, 1939. He lived the majority of his life in North Little Rock, AR, where he graduated from NLR High School.

Leroy was married to his beloved wife, Esther M. Mahnken, for 51 years. Missouri Pacific, the company that Leroy and Esther’s fathers worked for, moved both of their families to North Little Rock early in their lives. Esther’s oldest daughter Anna takes credit for the couple pairing, as she walked over to Leroy at a gathering of their families and asked him plainly, “are you going to be my new daddy?” Together, Leroy and Esther built a life centered around family and faith. Leroy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church until they closed and had become a proud member of First Lutheran since. His family were among those who helped establish Trinity Lutheran.

Throughout his life, Leroy served his community in several ways. He was a North Little Rock firefighter, serving for 38 years and retiring as a captain. He also proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the destroyer USS Rupertus. In his free time, Leroy loved fishing—especially for bass and crappie—and camping. Leroy was the first to tell you that “there’s a difference between fishing and catching.” While Leroy did a lot of fishing, the catching is up for debate. He loved going out on his Bass boat up until a particularly late fishing trip and a few mishaps loading the boat led to Esther telling him “it’s time to retire the boat.”

Leroy enjoyed traveling. Early on in their marriage, Leroy and Esther loved taking the kids camping by Lake Degray and over by Lake Conway before it got drained (Leroy knew Lake Conway before it was even a lake). Leroy and his family loved going tent camping. Later on after the camping trips and fishing slowed down, Leroy continued to travel. He specifically enjoyed going to see the Noah’s Ark exhibit in Kentucky. In his spare time, Leroy could often be found in his workshop, where he took great pride in his work. He loved caring for the birds around his home, maintaining three bird feeders he set up around his yard.

Leroy was a die hard Razorback fan. For better or for worse, Leroy watched as many games as he could. He believed the players could hear him through the TV and would yell at them to get it together from time to time. Esther said that his unexpected coaching through the screen startled her on occasion, but is something that was one of her favorite things he did.

Leroy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Esther M. Mahnken; his brother, Edwin R. Mahnken (Susan); his three children, Anna Kyle, Erin Newman (Brad), and Adam Mahnken (Leah); his 6 grandchildren, Caleb Mahnken (Allyson), Aidan Kyle, Jade Kyle, Allison Mahnken, Spencer Mahnken, and Lane Newman; and one great grandson, Russell Mahnken.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held Friday, October 9, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Smith North Little Rock. Funeral Home (1921 N. Main St North Little Rock, AR). Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, (314 East 8th Street, Little Rock, AR). Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Rest Hills Memorial Park (7724 Landers Rd, North Little Rock, AR).

Leroy will be remembered for his faith, his love for his family, his service to his community and country, and the many simple joys he found in life.