The Rosary Service for Frank Lesselyoung, age 85 of Lemmon, will be held 10:30am, and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, both on Monday, November 24, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon. Fr Brian Fawcett will officiate with burial in Greenhill Cemetery.


FRANCIS RAYMOND LESSELYOUNG "Frank" was born August 20, 1923 at Ralph, SD, the fifth of fourteen children born to Stephen and Irene (Mohr) Lesselyoung. Frank spent most of his childhood on the family farm near Ralph, SD, and attended the Olson and Grandview Schools. The family moved to the Sorum area in 1938.


As a young man he worked on the family farm and helped take care of the house and his younger brothers and sisters. He also helped many neighbors with farm work, herded sheep and worked on a sheep shearing crew. He didn't hesitate to drop whatever he was working on and return home to help if he was needed. In 1958, Frank moved to Bison and then to Lemmon in the mid-1960's, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Frank spent many of his working years as a carpenter, doing several projects in both Bison and Lemmon. During that time, he became very proficient at block laying and other masonry work. Frank was the janitor at the Lemmon School for a time and did caretaking of apartments in Lemmon. In his later years, he enjoyed working with the Green Thumb program.


Frank had a big heart and enjoyed helping others. He did odd jobs, gardening, yard work and general fixing up for anyone who asked. Family was very important to Frank, and he wouldn't hesitate to lend a helping hand to a family member in need. His family instilled a love of music in Frank and he was gifted with the ability to play many instruments including the piano, guitar, accordion and fiddle – all by ear. Frank liked to join his sisters in playing music at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, his home for the past five years. People there often commented about what a kind man he was.


All who knew and loved Frank will carry special memories with them of this gentle soul who lived simply and was most comfortable in a worn pair of jeans and a cap. He was never too concerned about impressing people, and lived life as he saw fit. It only took one look into his kind eyes to know that Frank was a good and honest person.


Frank passed away on Tuesday evening November 18, 2008 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck


Surviving family members include one brother, Stan Lesselyoung, Lemmon, SD; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Anna "Peg" Arneson, Detroit Lakes, MN, Martha O'Connor, Mary Kari, and Connie and John Hay, all of Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers, Gordon, John, Leonard, Lawrence Edward, Robert, Steven Jr.; and 2 sisters, Genevieve Kuhr, and Kathryn "Jean" Smith.


Visitation will be one hour prior to the Rosary service at St. Mary's Catholic Church.