Leighton Willard Dahlquist, age 85, of Cokato, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Lee was born on March 11, 1933 in Starbuck, the son of Eugene and Olive (Swenhaugen) Dahlquist. He was baptized and confirmed at the Minnewaska Lutheran Church in Starbuck, MN. He graduated from Starbuck High School in 1951. Lee enlisted in the United States Air Force and after 4 years, he was honorably discharged in 1955.
Lee married Maxine Kirkwold in 1957. They built a home in Richfield and had two girls. He worked for the US Postal Service in Minneapolis until he started at the Richfield Police Department in 1959. He retired on 1979.
Lee married Marilyn Norling in 1984 and moved to a hobby farm in Kingston. Lee was member of the American Legion Post 209 of Cokato and the Lions Club of Kingston. Lee served on the church board and was a long time head usher. He also served on the board of directors of the Cokato Historical Society.
He worked for the Dingmann Funeral Home and Swanson Peterson Funeral Home. He was an auctioneer during different times throughout his life and volunteered at special events.
Lee is best known during his later years as the Pie Boy. He delivered pies for Carlson Apple Orchard around the Cokato area and to his friends in nearby towns.
Lee loved to play basketball, watching sports, collecting license plates and collectible cars, camping, volunteering and having fun. Lee & Marilyn enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the Casino, where he got nickname “Lucky Lee”. It was there where they met many new people that grew into friendships.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Cokato, children Kathryn (Ken) Beckers, Karen (Steve) Miller, Randall (Maria) Wegner, Robert Wegner, Lori Wegner; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church 280 3rd St SE, Cokato on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:00 AM, with gathering of family and friends beginning at 8:30 AM. Interment will be at Fort Snelling on Monday, August 27, 2018.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato & Howard Lake, Minnesota, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com
Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.
Aug
22