Donald E. Lease, age 81, passed away on Jan. 6, 2017. He was born Aug. 12, 1935 in Bemidji to Clarence and Gertrude (Chevalier) Lease.
Don grew up in St. Paul and Roseville and was a graduate of Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul. Don worked for Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company in St. Paul for 35 years. Because Don had a rare O-Negative blood type, he donated several gallons of blood. The blood bank sometimes picked him up at work for special donations.
After marriage, he and his wife Eleanor lived on Como Place in St. Paul. Don and family moved to Hugo in 1966, where Don served on the Hugo City Council and as mayor of Hugo. Don and Eleanor were involved in forming the Como Zoo docents and raised baby zoo animals at their home. Don was on the citizen’s committee which established the Minnesota State Zoo.
After retiring as a year-round citizen of the Gunflint Trail, Don became a member of the Mid-Trail Property Owner’s Association, The Gunflint Trail Historical Society, the Cook County Zoning Committee and the Cook County Water Board. Don is a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais, where he served as an usher and served communion at Sunday mass.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Virginia Lichtscheidl and Patricia Arcand.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; sons David and Steven; granddaughters Amanda Kruse, Sarah, and Emily Lease.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12 at Maternity Of Mary Catholic Church, 1414 N. Dale St., St. Paul. Inurnment was in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation at the church was held from 9 – 10 a.m. Thursday.
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