Lester Haagenson, 55, of Esmond, ND passed away Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, ND. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 2:00PM at the Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds, ND with Pastor Sharon Baker officiating. Visitation will begin one hour before the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Leeds Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. Music will be provided by Dan Nybo.

Lester Duane Haagenson was born on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1959, in Rugby, North Dakota. He was the fifth of six sons born to Esther (Hjelle) and Fergus Lyle Haagenson.

Lester was baptized as an infant at the Ox Creek Lutheran Church of rural Rolette, North Dakota and confirmed at the Leeds Lutheran Church. During the first year of his life, the family moved to the farm three miles west of Brinsmade where Lester grew up. He graduated from Leeds Public School and attended the State School of Science at Wahpeton, North Dakota, where he earned a civil engineering degree.

Lester was united in marriage to Candace Baker on June 18, 1994, in Williston, North Dakota. This union lasted fifteen years.

Lester's greatest joy in life was his son Christopher Kraneg. He was deeply saddened when his son survived an oil field accident only to lose his life in a vehicle accident.

Lester worked as a land man for the Empire Oil Company through 2014. The past year he had been working for area farmers. He enjoyed the harvest season and running a combine.

His most enjoyed activity was riding his Harley, whether to work or on the open road with friends. Every July, when he lived in Jamestown, he participated in the "Toys in July" event for the Ann Carlson Center.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents and his son Christopher.

He is survived by his five brothers, Leslie (Paula), Lowell (Theresa), Lorin (Pat), Lynn (Renee), and Lloyd (Jill), twelve nieces and nephews, and twenty great-nieces and nephews.