Lynell Bruce Leasman

Lynell Leasman’s journey ended peacefully on March 2nd, 2022 at his home in Boyd, MN.

Lynell Bruce Leasman, first born son of Helen May (Haaland) and Bruce James Leasman, was born on October 4th, 1947 in Clarkfield, MN. Lynell was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd. Lynell graduated from Boyd High School in 1965. Lynell went on to attend Vo-tech in Canby and then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967, prepared to work on airplanes. Lynell was aboard the USS Enterprise outside of Oahu, Hawaii in 1969 when a series of explosions caused the ship to break out in fire; a devastating experience that he never forgot. Lynell was honorably discharged on November 2nd, 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary medal. Lynell was a lifetime member of Dawson Strand & Saboe VFW post and the Boyd American Legion.

Lynell was united in marriage to Deborah Kay (Kostad) Brehmer on September 24th, 1977. Lynell, Deb and her son, Mike, made their home in Boyd. Two daughters, Laura and Lynnsey, born to this union, attempted to give Lynell as many gray hairs as possible (hardly any!). Lynell joined the Boyd Fire Department in 1972. With many years spent as the Fire Chief, Lynell dedicated himself to the fire department for 50 years. Lynell made his living as an auto mechanic, running Leasman Repair, and helped all his “neighbors” in Boyd, ensuring their utilities were working and roads were plowed. He also served citizens of Boyd as a member of the city council for many years.

Lynell enjoyed racing go-carts, tractor pulls, riding motorcycle, collecting treasures, and going to auctions. Lynell also spent many hours playing cards with his family, making sure they always knew the correct rules and, somehow, almost always winning. There was nothing he could not fix, find, or fabricate. Lynell was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Lynell was a jokester who loved pranks and mastered the art of dad jokes before they were cool.

Lynell was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2018. A man of few words, on the day of his diagnosis stated, “Some say life is like a card game, guess I was just dealt a bad hand this round.” Lynell and his family are eternally grateful to Dr. Huber, Nurse Jess- CNP, and the rest of the Oncology team at Avera Marshall for providing outstanding care and treatments to keep him fighting for as long as he did. Lynell and his family were also blessed with support from the wonderful hospice team from Carris Health, especially Kris and Becky, during Lynell’s final months. Lynell fought ferociously and without complaints, his final spoken words being “I’m okay.”

Lynell shared his life with his wife of almost 45 years, Deb; children, Mike (Jen) Brehmer, Laura (Glen VanHecke) Swedzinski, and Lynnsey (Ben) Standahl; grandchildren, Nathan (Kelli), Matthew & Joseph Brehmer, Baily Kaas, Gus VanHecke, Clare & Cole Swedzinski, Shelby, Kylie & Torbjorn Standahl; mother, Helen May, and siblings Alice (Roger) Janiszeski, Lonnie (Lonnie) Leasman and Leslie Leasman. “Uncle Boog” will be greatly missed by Rick & Ryan Mogard, Lori Strelow, Teri Doehring, and Kristi Terry, David Palo, Audrey Kangas, Keith Palo, Christopher and Rachelle Leasman. He will also be missed by cousins, many friends, and Menards. Lynell is preceded in death by his father, Bruce, and parents-in-law, Stanley & Leone Kostad.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6th, 2022 from 5-7 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM. Visitation will continue at 9:30 AM on Monday, March 7th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 AM. Interment with military honors to follow in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Boyd. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Boyd Fire Department, Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Avera Marshall Oncology, or Carris Health Rice Hospice.

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