Memories for Les

From: Thomas M. Heffernan

Les was a high school classmate of mine and a friend. I cannot imagine the grief that you must be feeling. You and your family our in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Tom, Sandy, Marcus, Tia, Chris, Sarah, Noah, Emily, KayleighAnn, and Hattie.

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From: HAROLD J. KOPF

I WISH TO GIVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE VATNSDAL FAMILIES AT THIS TIME OF SUCH A GREAT LOSS. MY PRAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ALL OF YOU.

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From: JoAnne O.

Deepest sympathies to Les's family. Simply put, the world lost a wonderful and loving person.

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From: Robin (Raps) Berger

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Les at Menards in Bismarck back when he first started there as a Manager in Training. He was so full of life, funny, and kind. The cashiers always enjoyed his humor and he always brought a smile to our faces. I remember him always being so calm and collected and would never get stressed out. Heaven is so lucky to have a guy like Les!! My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

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: Pam Schorsch

My heart hurts for all of you. Jamie and Julie are my friends and they are wonderful so I know Les must have been an extrordinary man. Warm hugs to you all.

Pam

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From: Shirley Bye

Our deepest sympathy to your family. We will forever remember how kind you guys were to Renae, Kylar, and Karsen during a difficult Christmas season a few years ago; acts of kindness, such as that, are never forgotten! Les was always so kind to Kylar, as I know he was to all Travis' friends...he was just a special, all-around good guy! I know that there is a special place in heaven for Les ...God Bless him and all of you!

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From: Cori Argent

Cory, just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May god give you strength!

Reed is planning to stop over and will be there Thursday but I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you.

With deepest sympathy,
Cori Argent

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From: richard stanley

I dont get emotional much but as i read the wonderful obit for les i sit here in tears. Les was a wonderful man who touched in a special way everyone who knew him. I learned so much from les. not just about work but as a mani will never forget les and i know none of us ever will. Competative when we were at the pool table, hard charging when we were at work, laughing when we were just telling jokes and never living down the Bears/Vikings rivalry.
If i could thank Les for just one thing it would be Thank you for being apart of my life. We all know what kind of man Les was. We could go on all day ( and i am sure we will) about our memeories of him.
Ive only learded so much from two other people in my life. Les helped make us all better people. Better fathers, better freinds, better workers.
To les' family. Thank you for sharing Les with us.
There is so much love within you and thanks again for letting us be apart of it.
Les cherished his friends alot but when he talked about his family his eyes just glistened.
Cory, you have been a rock during these trying times and the strength you have shown has been a insipiration to many.
Know i know what Gods strength and having that faith can do to get a person through.
I never told many men I loved them. But i loved Les
And i told him that the last time i saw him and i meant it.

Hut hut!! im going on and on lol.
Anyway. Thank you les for all that you have shown me.
Thank you cory for helping to make les the man he was.
and thank god for letting us share some time here on earth with him.
sincerely
Richard Stanley

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From: Dan Harnist

My thought and prayers go out to the family in this very difficult time. I pretty much only knew Les professionally, I am the Manager of the Floor Cleaning Company that cleaned the floors in Menards, Les hired us years ago. He was allway a very honest and fair man to deal with. May God Bless you all during this most difficult time.

Dan Harnist

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From: Daryl, Machele, Kate & Molly Somerville

Cory, Travis, Cassidy and Family of Les--
We are grieving with you in Les's passing.
I will always remember Les with a smile on his face. Even in the face of adversity, he smiled. He was an amazing man and will be missed by so many. We feel so very lucky to have known him.
God Bless your family. We wish you comfort and peace.
Sincerely,
The Somervilles

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From: John Salter

I knew Les years ago, in the early 1980s, when we both worked at Target in Grand Forks. We weren't close friends but he is one of a small handful of people from those days who I've thought of over the years. Les was always friendly, helpful, funny, and an all around stand-up guy. This is a real heartbreaker. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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From: Brittany and Brandon Valdez

Cory and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Les' passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

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From: Julie

My heart is hurting for you! I love you Cory, and will be there for you and the kids!

Jules

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From: Craig, Laurie, Jordan & Ariel xoxo

Hi to Everyone Reading This note with a Special "extra" big hug to Cory,Travis & Cassy. My thought and 'deepest' prayers are definitely even more than normal(whatever normal is:)with you all at this time. I would like to quote something from the First letter to the Corinthians : "There are different kinds of gifts...all from the same Spirit. Eagerly cultivate these greater gifts...faith,hope and love. The greatest of these is love." I have never seen a couple or a family portray these gifts as much as the Vatnsdal family. You have all lived your entire lives based on nothing but Faith,Hope and Most of all Love. I have never met anyone like Les and I don't think I ever will. I will miss seeing his beautiful smile, but I will forever remember it in my mind and in my heart. I think that Richard Stanley said it best when he said that Les helped make us all better, and Cory you were right there beside him helping him to make us all better, which means you have helped ma!
ke us all better also.Thank you ! Les's parents (Gene & Judy) , I am sure are so very proud of the man they raised. Like Richard says , " Thank you Vatnsdal for sharing Les with all of us.
God Speed Les :) We love you ! .... The Handeland family !

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From: Pam (Schantz) Walter

Corrine and Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Love Pam Walter

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From: Darin and Dawn Foley

We are sorry for your loss, and our thoughts are with all of you. Darin and Dawn Foley

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From: Pat Nistler

Cory and Kids,
I worked with Les at the GF Menards store for a few years before you moved. I've forgotten more of the people than I remember, but Les is one of the few whose genuine compassion for others will stay with me for the rest of my life. If we were all like Les, the world would such a better place.
God has Blessed you and your family with a truly great man.
Pat Nistler

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From: Terry McCann

I had the privilege of interacting with and serving Les and his Team on many occassions through my previous employment with Menards. Les was a person who cared deeply about the well-being of all of his Team Members and colleagues. He also had a genuine interest in seeing others succeed. I can only imagine that same approach was magnified when it involved his family and their well-being.

Les, may God bless you and keep you pain-free.

From my family to Mr. Vatnsdal's, sincere condolences to all of you.

Respectfully,
Terry McCann

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From: Bill and Ginger Quam

To the family and friends of Les,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember working at Menards as a Manager Trainee right after I graduated from college, Les made the "crank days" bearable. I will never forget his smile or his positive outlook on life. He was truly a remarkable man who touched everyone he came into contact with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Bill and Ginger(Neshem)Quam

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From: Mike & Cyndi Sondrol

We are so sorry to hear of Les's passing. Although we did not know him personally, we do know Gene & Judy. We have been following his illness through friends and also while visiting with Gene & Judy when they are in Lake Havasu City, AZ. God bless the Vatnsdal family.

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From: Daryl, Pam, Brandon & Lyndsey Hodnefield

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you today and everyday. Please know that there are so many who care and love you.

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From: Marty Hart

Cory and family, and Jamie.

I was sorry to see the obituary in the paper, it was a complete shock. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your family.

May God bless and be with you in your time of sadness.

Marty Hart and Family

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From: Mark Amundson

I attended Red River High School with Les and saw him from time to time after.
He was a great guy and always greeted me with a smile, handshake and nice conversation.
Les will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire wonderful Vatnsdal family.

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From: Rachel Medley & Cory Lundeen

We are so very sorry for your loss. Les was an exceptional person and he will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Rachel & Cory (Grand Forks)

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From: Don and Norma Wehri

To the Vatnsdal and the Schriado Families---Sending you our Prayers and Deepest Sympathy .Hold on to each other and go one day at a time.GOD is always with us and we are never alone --even though somedays we wonder-- we need to remember those days GOD IS CARRYING US . GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Don and Norma Wehri Glen Ullin

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From: John Gumbert family

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Les will be deeply missed. It was an honor to know and learn from him.

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From: Michael Vestuto

Vatnsdal Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with the family in this very difficult time. Les was an amazing human being and inspired me in many ways in how he was on a daily basis with his friends, family, and co workers. I remember being hired personally by Les at the Minot Menards store when it opened in 1995 and how he helped me to advance within the company. Les was always someone I could call at anytime for advice or just to chat with. It was always great to visit with him when I would visit Minot. I will truly miss his friendship and will never forget how he touched me in my life.

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From: Greg and Calli

Cory - we want to extend our sympathy to your entire family. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Greg and Calli Jund

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From: mike brouse

les was a great guy , I knew him from highschool . We went snowmobileing together with friends and hunted dove a couple of times , over the years we spoke a couple of times . Always a postive guy , with great atittude. my symphthy goes out to his wife and children and family , He surely will be missed .

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From: Clyde & Pam Norris

Les will be truely missed, we enjoyed his smiling face at Menard's after we got to know him. Clyde met Les at Don's hunting cabin, and he really enjoyed knowing he could be a good friend to us. Our Sympathy goes out to you in this time. Hugs to you all from us here in Kenmare. He was always in our prayers, as people kept us informed of Les's sickness. God has a special Angel with him now.

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From: Mary Hamilton

I worked with Les for a short period at Menards here in Minot. He is the true definition of a genuinely great person. My heart goes out to his family. Bless you for being in his life, and may we feel blessed for knowing him.

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From: Keith Reimche and family

Cory and family, I am so very sorry for our loss of Les. I will always remember when I helped get Cassidy home. The time I spent with you and Les showed me how much love one could have. Everytime I asked Les how Cassidy was doing he would always light up. I hope to be one tenth of the man he was. Our prayers are still with you.

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From: Marla and Marcia

Lori and family-

Even though you are sad here on earth without Les, the heavens are rejoicing with his presence.

Some special words to help you through your grief....

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to weep, to laugh, to mourn and to dance for those we have loved and lost.

Our loved ones are gone, but not the relationship we shared with them.

We believe that Les and our two brothers (Mark and Mark) are spending endless days in heaven creating "fog" for the sisters!

Love,

BT Angel Sisters

Marcia Reiter and Marla Heisterkamp

 

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From: Rod, Denise & Mandi

What a beautiful obituary - the love that Les had for life, his family and friends is so very evident in all of the pictures and those who knew him, experienced that also firsthand. Please know that our hearts ache in the loss of Les. You are all in our most sincere thoughts and prayers. May our Almighty Father blanket each of you in his love, comfort, faith and assuance that we will all see Les again one day. Love you all!

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From: Stephanie Drovdal & family

Cory, Travis, Cassidy, and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Les was a wonderful person and I am honored to have had the opportunity to have known him. Les was the type of person who impacted the lives of those around him and it is because of that it is so difficult to let him go, but also one of the reasons he can never be gone, not from our hearts,not from our memories, not from our lives. Many people learned a lot from Les. Lessons about work, family, life, love, courage, and strength just to name a few; and it is through those seeds he sowed that he will live on. God bless you all, I am so sorry for your loss. P.S. I can picture Les with a huge grin on his face as he reaches his hand out to greet the Lord with his signature handshake.

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From: Gene Jenson

What can one man say about another man in a few words that explain how you feel without repeating what we all felt about Les. I guess he had a quiet strength, true honesty, warm compassion, a gving nature and was a true "friend". I will miss him always. Gene

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From: Gene & Donna Jenson

Cory, & family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your children for the loss of Les. As contractor doing business at Menard's, Gene got to know Les well and really enjoyed their friendship through the years. Just prior to Les's illness, he and Gene talked about taking their bikes on a trip. Gene's biggest regret is that they didn't have the time. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Even through all his own illness, he never failed to ask how our son, Jerry (who has ALS), was doing. He always thought of others first. God bless and keep all of you during htis trying time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gene, Donna, & Jerry

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From: Robert and Debra LaRiccia

There are no words that can fully express our profound sadness for you and your family. Les represented all that was truly good and kind. Anyone who met Les truly felt the blessing of being befriended by him. It is our sincere hope you find great comfort in all the good times and wonderful memories you have of Les and mostly, in knowing he is watching over you with all the love possible. You are all in our hearts and prayers.

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From: Lori Landa (Turner)

To the Family of Les,

I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about Les. He was a classmate of mine at Red River and was a great guy! He was always the guy at school who "always" had a smile on his face. My thoughts & prayers are with you all through this most difficult time. God Bless!

Lori (Turner) Landa
Grand Forks

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From: Lori Turk and Family

Dear Cory,
I was so sorry to hear that Les had passed away. Unfortunately I've been out of town for the last week. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. Love, Lori

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From: Jodie (Shores) Storhaug

Requests: I knew Les through both his sister Linda, who I was friends with in school as a kid and because he was a friend of my brother Dale. I thought he was a great guy then and it is both heart warming and heartaching to hear what a great Dad, husband, son, brother and friend he's been as an adult. We are so sad for your loss. I knew through brief conversations with you Linda at work that he has been quite the fighter and "life liver" through all this. Please know our prayers are with you and your family. Bruce, Jodie, Kaia and Mara Storhaug

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From: Margo & Terry Eickenbrock

To all Les's family,
It's been a humbling privilege to have shared a small part in Les's ordeal through the email updates his family provided on his progress. The ups and downs of his health and the caring support of his family always gave hope that the cancer would be beaten. Although that wasn't the case, the shared experiences of his ordeal and the strength of his strong, loving family is an example and inspiration to us and everyone else that as painful as death is for those left, it can also be a beautiful bonding of love in a family and make us all appreciate our own loved ones for the short time we have together. Jeffery D. Kavadas (our precious brother) was surely one of the many in heaven before Les to greet and welcome him to his next life with God. God bless Les and his family.

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From: James and Julie Berney

Les was a great manager and friend to have worked for. I was able to learn a lot from him. We wish Cory and all family our condolences, our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Les will be greatly missed.
James and Julie Berney and Family

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From: richard(bubba)kramchuck

i am sorry for your loss,i went to high school with les great guy he will be missed,to les danny is ther to welcome you to heaven

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From: Rod and Cody Roteliuk

Cory, Travis and Cassidy...

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time..

God took one of the best men in ND home... No matter where you were, Les made a point to at least make eye contact and say HI... if he was to busy to get over there himself!!!

Cory your strength through all of this has been amazing, you both had such great attitudes about EVERYTHING!!!

Sending you a HUGE (((((((((HUG))))))))))

God Speed Les...

Love,

Cody

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From: the nurses and staff at Trinity CancerCare center

We all feel very privileged to have cared for such special people as Les and Cory Vatnsdal. Les had such a sweet spirit no matter what he was faced with and Cory was his strength. He will be missed; Cory, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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From: Wayne Peterson

I was very sorry to hear about Les passing away. I knew Les since we were in first grade at Kelly School all the way through college at UND, and he always had a smile for you. Even back in the days when he tried to get me into fights with our friend Chris Hutchinson, he did it with a laugh and a smile on his face! My sympathy to everyone in his family.

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From: Doug & Jean Sanford Jill Sanford

Although we didn't personally know Les we certainly knew that he was loved through contact with his parents, Gene and Judy. May God hold your hands through this time and may you know that there is another beautiful rose in heaven.
Doug & Jean Sanford
Jill Sanford

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