Leslie “Les” A. Palank, 65, of Chisago City, Minn., passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017.
Les was born in St. Croix Falls, Wis., Dec. 15, 1952 to Edward J. and Valeta I. (nee Vaerst) Palank. He graduated from Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom in 1971. After high school Les attended two years of mechanical drafting school in Minneapolis. Leslie’s draft number for the Vietnam War was 3 although having been called “Slinky” in school, he was rejected from the draft since he was under the minimum weight requirements. Les went on to work for 29 years as a custom welder for Production Aids in Wyoming, Minn.
As a teenager, Leslie was great having around since he stood near 6’ 5” tall – he could reach the best apples and pears from our trees. He enjoyed spending time up at The Shack in the North Woods, kayaking on the St. Croix River and canoeing the BWCA. Les also traveled with his mother Valeta on a major trip through Canada by train to the Churchill area on the Hudson Bay and they took a Tundra Buggy tour to see the polar bears in the wild.
He also enjoyed horseback riding and took great pride with his 25 plus years as an active member of the Dalles Saddle Club, helping whenever and wherever he could. He helped with all the electronic equipment for horse shows and other venues. He was also their safety representative. He was often seen around town with his Dalles Saddle Club jacket and hat.
In recent years Les worked as a handy man. He also did excavation and construction work, and did seasonal farming at a few farms in Chisago City. He enjoyed snow plowing in the north metro and lawn mowing in the local area. This past year Les became passionate about making videos flying his drone. Les used his entrepreneurship to invent and construct a Corn Bin Corn Buster, this is being used in corn bins today.
Les is survived by his two brothers, Darrell E. of Chisago City, and Douglas A. (Vicki) of Omaha, Neb.; niece, Jessica (Jon) Hendricks of Neb.; nephew, Tim Palank of Del.; niece, Charissa Palank of Okla.; and nephew, Zachary Palank of Okla.
Les was preceded in death by his parents; two horses, Comanche and Gamyra (Myra), his beloved Pomeranian mix “Shazbots,” and cat “Shadow.”
Memorials preferred to the Dalles Saddle Club.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom with visitation starting at 1 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.
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