Leslie R. Stillson

 SISSETON-      Les Stillson, 73, of Sisseton lost his courageous battle to cancer on Saturday, April 20, 2002  while at home surrounded by his loving wife and best friend of 45 years, Noreen and most valued possessions, his seven children.  
 Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 10:30am at St. Peter¹s Catholic Church in Sisseton.   Rev.  Fr. Randy Oswald is officiating, with  Rev. Fr. Dennis Deis as concelebrant.   Music will be provided by John Thuringer and Sandy Jaspers.  Lowell Lundstrom will provide a solo and words of appreciation.  Eulogy will be presented by Les¹  nephew, Rev. Kent Stillson.
 Burial will be at St. Peter¹s Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Cahills Funeral Home in Sisseton.  Military rites will be presented by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post No. 50 and the Fort Sisseton VFW Post No. 3342.  Active pallbearers will be Steve Schley, Kent Stillson, Glen Smith, Don Jarrett, Robert Johnston and Dale Foss.  Honorary pallbearers will be Les¹ friends and business associates.
 Visitation will be Tuesday, April 23 from 9:00am to 7:00pm with a 7:00pm Scripture service at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton and Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the mass.
 Les was born to Gina (Bak) and Clifford Stillson on August 11, 1928 in Britton, SD.  He graduated from Britton High School in 1947.  After graduation, Les enlisted in the army and served two years in Korea.  In 1955, he bought a gas station and petroleum bulk dealership in Sisseton from Don Hunstad and began doing business as Stillson Service.  He married Noreen Stewart on November 21, 1956.  He was a true entrepreneur, and loved the opportunity to start new ventures.  In 1971, he brought a NAPA parts dealership to Sisseton.  Other ventures included: a service station in Milbank, SD; Sokota Wholesale in Britton, SD;  a snowmobile dealership;  Honda Rentals; a machine shop; a gas station and Photo Quick in Watertown, SD; a Golden Sun Feed Store;  Miracle Water ; Energy Systems and Tire Store.  His main businesses  remained   Stillson  Oil Company,  Fly Control Systems and Stillson Trailer Sales.  
 Les was a member of St. Peter¹s Catholic Church.  He was a founding member and the first and third president of the Northeast South Dakota Glacier Lakes Association.  He served as President of the Sisseton Development Corporation, served on the City Council, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Tekakwitha Fine Arts.  He was a founding member of the Sisseton Swimming Pool Association.  He worked hard to promote Sisseton - the town that he loved.
 He is survived by his wife, Noreen, of Sisseton, SD; seven children, Greg and wife Sue Stillson of Sisseton, Sharon and husband Darrell Haaland of Sisseton, Lisa and husband Doug Lauer of Colorado Spring, CO, John and Melissa Stillson of Rock Rapids, IA, Dave Stillson of Sisseton, Stacey and husband Kendall Goetz of Aberdeen, SD,  and Mary and husband Paul Schuurmans of Shakopee, MN.  Grandchildren: Eric Haaland, Katie Haaland, Brianna Lauer, Ryan Lauer, Ashley Stillson, Allen Stillson, Michael Stillson, Adam Goetz and Shawn Goetz.  Step-grandchildren:  Christopher Holicky and Melodie Lewis.  Step- great grandchildren:  Brandon Holicky, Alexandrea Holicky, Austin Lewis, Mercedes Lewis and Michael Lewis.
 Les was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials can be made to the Sisseton Swimming Pool Association.