Leroy Hestnas

Leroy “Lee” Virgil Hestnas, 78, of Red Wing, died unexpectedly Friday, April 18, 2025 at his home. He was born December 19, 1946 in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota to Eugene and Mabel (Hendrickson) Hestnas.

Lee grew up in a humble home in Oklee, Minnesota and graduated from Red Lake County Central High School where he excelled in sports, especially in basketball. He attended college at Bemidji State and earned a teaching degree. During the summers, he followed the harvest in Texas and built grain bins, earning bragging rights for his speed and precision.

In 1967 he married RoxAne Christoferson and they raised their four children together in Crookston, MN. They later parted ways.

Lee had a lifelong love of learning and teaching. He taught history and civics at Warren Alvarado Oslo High School in Warren, Minnesota where he was a favorite teacher because of his genuine interest in his students. He played competitive basketball with his students which they loved and remember him for to this day.

Lee shifted gears and did construction for a few years in Crookston before moving his family and business to Red Wing. He founded Lee Hestnas Construction Inc. in 1995 and built a reputation for excellence in building and remodeling. He taught construction to his children, grandsons, stepson, and many employees through the years including long-time employees Ben Wallace and Mark Hayes, current employees, Zach Lorentz and Riese Nelson and part-timers Greg Cady, Steve Blaine and Mark Traynor who would often help out on a moment’s notice. Lee loved his work and the people he worked with. He laughed and joked with everyone and often remarked that they just had fun all day.

His jobs were always well organized. He was grateful for the skilled subcontractors and trusted local businesses who helped him coordinate different job phases, supplied him with plans and materials, and provided necessary services to keep his business running smoothly. Through the years he built lasting relationships with countless wonderful customers, always taking time to connect with them, their families and even their pets.

In 2010, he married Jane Schmidt in Las Vegas and they returned there yearly to vacation and celebrate their anniversary. They were both workaholics, but still found time to enjoy each other’s company and connect with their families, friends and neighbors.

Lee had a special relationship with his grandchildren (who called him Papa), his step-children and his “adopted” grandchildren, the Peterson kids. They knew how proud he was of them and their accomplishments. Being present mattered to him. He went out of his way to attend t-ball, baseball, volleyball and other events, near or far, and never missed a chance to show his support. Lee took numerous trips with his grandchildren and step children. To him, the best part of traveling with them wasn’t the places they visited but the time together and the connection it kept alive. When they were little, he would squeeze their heads and exclaim, “I love to squeeze heads!” and they giggled and knew he loved them more than anything.

He had the most awesome driveway for scooters, bikes, and skateboards. The neighborhood kids knew they were welcome to ride there anytime. On summer evenings he could be seen sitting outside and talking with Potterf children, Abigail, Sky, Robert and sometimes young Koda; Brenna, Kellen and Logan Traynor; Kia, Max, Liam, Jacolby and others as they rode around and around. He often chatted with kids and parents at the bus stop and had a special place in his heart for little Mabel who shares the name with his mother, Isaiah Swolley who he called “mini me”, and also Alex Olson and her dog. He received countless drawings, crafts, baked goods and plants from these kids and their families through the years which warmed his heart.

In his younger years, Lee enjoyed bicycle riding, YMCA classes, and an occasional game of golf. He cherished the simple joy of summer afternoons by the pool, surrounded by family, friends and neighbors who always knew they were welcome. Lee’s gin and tonics were the best in town, mostly because he made sure everyone knew they were. Zip codes were non-negotiable with Lee. If he gave you an address, you were getting all five digits whether you wanted them or not.

Lee was a member of the Red Wing Sportsmens Club and was an expert target shooter in his day. He was very patriotic and volunteered his time and expertise to the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon project and generously donated to many charities including first responder and military causes. He was always willing to help his neighbors, friends and really anyone who needed a helping hand.

Lee made it a point to learn everyone’s name. From casual acquaintances to store clerks, everyone was important enough for Lee to call them by name and ask how they were doing. If someone asked him how he was doing would often reply, “If I was doing any better, I’d be you!”

He will be missed by many, including his wife, Jane; children, Rochelle Hestnas, Matthew Hestnas, and Jonah (Christin) Hestnas; step-sons, Thomas (Jennifer) Schmidt and Marcus (Maria Haley) Schmidt; grandchildren, Cody, Kate, Jake, Leo, Tristan, Isaac (Hanna), Isabella and Sophia; great-grandson, Grayson, a sister, Doris (Jerry) Cooney; nephews, Michael, Brian and Jeff Cooney, in-laws Don and Joyce Gustafson, Mark (Chris) Gustafson, Anne (Kevin) von Busch, nephew Tyler (Bailey) Gustafson and niece Ande Gustafson, Zach Lorentz - who he loved like a son, the Petersons; and his cat friend, Henry.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Deanna; and his parents.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Rev. Justin Boeding officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the service but the family invites everyone to join them at the Elks for a Celebration of Life gathering from 4 - 8 p.m. Memorials are preferred to Hiawatha Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo (WAO) Education Foundation, the Red Wing Sportsmens Club, River Bluff Humane Society or the MN 100 Club to support first responders. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

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