Lynell, So sorry to hear about Les. Remember Sherry and I in the apt. at Mankato? I’ve thought about you guys over the years, I always looked up to Les and thought of him as a good friend. You and Les were great neighbors for the college year we shared. Hope you are doing ok.
Leslie "Les" O. Henson
September 25, 1942 – July 10, 2021
Celebrating the Life of Leslie “Les" Oren Henson, 78, of Waite Park, will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Les passed away peacefully at Quiet Oak Hospice while resting with his wife Lynell on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls. Reverend Timothy Routh will officiate.
Family and friends can visit from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
Les was born September 25,1942 in Owatonna, MN to Oscar and Violet (Bathel) Henson. He was the youngest of 5 (Leroy, Larry, Lyle (Butch), Lila, then Les). He graduated from Hopkins High School in 1961. Joined the Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor where he met and then married Lynell Basehore on January 17,1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Mankato State University in 1970. Out of school he worked for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe for many years administrating a variety of federal and state housing and economic development programs. Then moved to St. Cloud where he worked for the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority as the Community Development Manager.
Les’s priority was his family. He always put his wife, children, and grandchildren first. Les’s main hobbies were researching his family genealogy and antiquing. Les took great pride in his career. He worked with the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe developing strategies for improving land use, affordable housing and community development. He was also proud of his accomplishments with the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority where he coordinated economic, homeless, and affordable housing developments including Veterans Affairs properties for homeless individuals. Additionally, through his work in St. Cloud he was able to work on various community organization projects including the Anne Maries battered women’s shelter, Salvation Army, three Boys and Girls Club facilities, the Whitney Senior Center, and the St. Cloud homeless shelter. Les was also a member of Kiwanis for 17 years and Whitney Senior Center Board Member for 19 years.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Lynell; children, Heidi (Troy) Doyle, LaPorte; Mark (Andrea) Henson, Marshalltown IA; grandchildren, Alexis Gardner, Freeport, Cody Gardner, St. Cloud, Alexander Melhus, Grand Rapids, Kia Henson, Waite Park, Megan Doyle, Bemidji, Amber Henson, Marshalltown, Natalie Henson, Marshalltown; great grandson Bryson Moorman, Freeport, beloved dog, Brunno, Waite Park; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sister.
A special thank-you goes out to his wife Lynell and granddaughter Kia, all the doctors, nurses, home care aides who cared for Les along the way and Quiet Oaks Hospice who cared for Les during his last days.
Guestbook
Lynell, we learned of Les’ death on the Times website and send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our prayer is that God’s love will give you peace and strength in your sorrow.
A handsome sailor and a beautiful wife. At 8 or 9 years of age I remember the first time I saw Uncle Les and Aunt Lynell and I was taken by the beauty of the new couple. A memory alive today. They remained a beautiful couple throughout the years and always remembered us, our children and our grandchildren even though we lived many states away. May you rest in peace Uncle Leslie, and our prayers for you dear Aunt Lynell.
Lynell and family, our condolences for your loss of Les. I considered Les to be a friend and mentor to me as Director of Whitney Senior Center. He was a great man and had a lot of impact on so many people. We will be out of town next week and will miss the memorial service, but I will be thinking of Les and all the things he accomplished, take care, Steve and Wendy Hennes
Services
Visitation
Daniel Funeral Home, St. CloudServices
Salem Lutheran ChurchSchedule Details
Celebrating the Life of Leslie “Les" Oren Henson, 78, of Waite Park, will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Les passed away peacefully at Quiet Oak Hospice while resting with his wife Lynell on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls. Reverend Timothy Routh will officiate.
Family and friends can visit from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.