Arthur LeSage

It is a great day in heaven as they have gained an amazing man and our hero. Arthur W. LeSage Jr. (Art), 94 years young, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21st, 2017 at St Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. Art was born on July, 20th 1922 in Morris, MN. He joined the Army in 1940 where he was a Second Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne. He proudly served his country and was a POW in WWII. He earned numerous awards including the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War metal and WWII Victory Metal. He married Celesta Mary Staebler on January 5th, 1946 in Morris, MN. The two were married for over 62 years and had 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. They lived most of their lives in Alexandria, MN where he worked in sales as a district manager for the FC Hayer Company.

He loved his family, he loved to laugh and to make others smile and laugh! He loved to tell the stories of great memories he had, to tell jokes, and to make up songs. He always said “there may be others who love their family as much as I love mine, but I know there isn’t anyone who loves them more. I don’t know what I did to deserve all of you, but I am so grateful.” He had a zest for life and a laugh that was contagious! He was always quick to show gratitude and believed that laughter was the key to life and the very best medicine! He is loved and adored by his family and he and that beautiful smile and laugh will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; Arthur Sr & Hazel LeSage, sisters Gladys Satter & Ihla Grote, his beloved wife, Celesta LeSage, and special friend Marge Mudrak.

He is survived by his children, David, Richard (Loretta), Robert, Douglas, Nancy Myre (Scott), and Thomas (Laurie); grandchildren Mark LeSage, Nick LeSage (Katie), Kristine Kise (Jason), Jennifer Nguyen (Shawn), Scott Le Sage (Caitlin), Megan Steinbruckner (David), Brenton LeSage, Donald LeSage, Jana Anderson (Michael), Michael LeSage, Ian Myre (Jayna), Nolan Myre (Brianna), Haley Myre; great-grandchildren Cooper & Chase LeSage, Sophia Grace, Owen & Noah Kise, Avery & Aden Nguyen, Madison, Cole, Oliver & Ellie LeSage, Mason & Greyson Steinbruckner, Kylie Rasmussen, Paige Perry (David), Emma & Ella Anderson; special friends Iris Gustafson, Elwood Olin and Tim & Kathy Cullen.

A celebration of a life wonderfully lived will take place on Saturday, July 15th with visitation at 9am and service at 10am at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Military Honors Salute and a luncheon celebration to follow at noon at the Alexandria Masonic Lodge. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to a cause he held dear, the Wounded Warriors Project in honor of Art LeSage.

“There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains.” Thank you for your amazing light and the example you set for all those who call you Dad, Grandpa and friend.