Alton E. Lean

Obituary

Alton Edmund Lean was born on December 6, 1930, in Hunter, North Dakota. He was the son of Andrew and Isadora (Prellwitz) Lean. Alton was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Galesburg, North Dakota. Following school, Alton drove semi, hauling heavy equipment to Alaska on the Alaska Highway, making him one of the early ice road truckers. Alton also worked as a diesel mechanic.

In 1951, Alton met Ione Strom and on August 7, 1956, they were united in marriage at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, North Dakota. Alton and Ione resided in Hillsboro, before relocating to Fargo, North Dakota, where their daughter Teri was born. Alton and his family moved to Mandan, North Dakota. Alton continued to drive semi, hauling propane and gasoline. He also trained roping horses that were used in rodeo competitions and the family traveled with the horses during the rodeo season.

After a number of years in Mandan, the family relocated to Jamestown, North Dakota, where their daughter, Roxanne was born. They made another move to Fargo, North Dakota, where Alton owned & operated a service station.

Alton and his family later moved to Stewart, Minnesota, where Alton owned and operated Lean’s Service Station until his retirement in 1995. Alton was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart.

Alton enjoyed dancing, ice skating, and roller skating. He also enjoyed riding horses, snowmobiling, boating, and hunting. Alton especially cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. Alton & Ione celebrated 67 years of marriage in 2023.

Alton passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota, at the age of 93 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Alton is survived by his:
Wife, Ione Lean of Stewart, MN;
Daughters, Teri Salisbury and husband, Scott of Thompsons Station, TN,
Roxanne Burge Hamm and her husband, Mark of Stewart, MN;
Grandchildren, Jessica Porter, Shayne Trosdahl and his wife, Kayla, Nathaniel Burge and his wife, Elisa, Cristal Sugg and her husband, Andrew, Scott Salisbury Jr., Dylan Hamm and his wife, Andrea;
Special Nephew, Dennis Olson and his wife, Barbara of Plymouth, MN;
Brother, Edward Lean of Jamestown, ND;
Sisters, June Carlson of Waukesha, WI,
Lorraine Schumacher of Jamestown, ND;
Many other relatives and friends.

Alton is preceded in death by his Parents, Andrew and Isadora Lean; One Brother and Eight Sisters.