H. Lee Ebsen

h. lee ebsen
Henry Lee Ebsen, 95, of Fargo, ND passed away (grabbed the harp, as he would say) at St. Catherine’s nursing home on March 14, 2022. Lee was born in Sioux Falls, SD to Henry (Hank) and Helen Ebsen on January 10, 1927. In 1933 they moved to Fargo, ND where he attended St. Anthony’s Elementary, Agassiz Junior High, Central High School, and NDAC (NDSU). He enlisted in the US Navy on January 6, 1945 to serve in the second world war, forgoing his high school graduation ceremony. In 1947, Lee married Dalice Halverson and together they raised seven children, oldest to youngest, Cheryl (Roger) Jordheim, Randy Ebsen, Leslie (Harry) Burgess, Jamie (the late Scott) Viker, Jon Ebsen, Scott (Michelle) Ebsen and Christopher Ebsen. Lee and Dalice have 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren who they endlessly speak about and dearly love. Lee’s love for country living brought them to rural Horace and Kindred, ND where they raised horses and other farm animals. Lee worked as a cattle buyer and retired as manager at Central Livestock Association in West Fargo. He also tinkered in numerous businesses and owned the Sheyenne Bar in Horace, along with his father for 10 years. His pastimes included golfing (where he walked the course into his 90’s), deer hunting, fishing in Devil’s Lake, and at Lake Lizzie where he and his dad built a cabin in the 1950’s. Lee also had an island on Lake Lizzie where he spent a lot of his retirement working hard to clear the five-acre property, and enjoyed the peace and uniqueness (especially the eagles nesting) the island provided. Lee was preceded in death by his youngest son, Christopher, his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Joan and Valentine Veitenheimer, grandson Chris Ebsen, and brother, Jim (Cookie) Ebsen. Anyone who knew Lee knows that he was a very giving and social person. He thoroughly enjoyed all of his friends and shared stories of his hunting and fishing escapades. Lee was loved by his family and will be missed by many. The family will hold a private service. Please feel free to sign the guestbook and leave comments at boulgerfuneralhome.com. In honor of Lee, memorials may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=373eaf.

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  1. I remember Lee during my return from service in Vietnam. A friend and classmate Paul Petry and I stopped at bar in Horace. Lee came over and bought us a beer and sat down with us. Noticed my haircut a asked about my service in Marines. We shares some service stories and laughs. Parting Lee called me Jarhead and I called him swappby. We both laughed and shoke hands. What a great smile he had, and Paul’s laugh was contagious. Until we meet again Swappby.

  2. Lee was a good friend of mine at the Stockyards. When I was getting ready to leave the Stockyards I asked Lee if he would send a character letter to Mobile Oil Corporation. in Sioux Falls SD. He showed me the letter before he sent it. I was really pleased what he wrote and I did get the job. Lee will be missed by many people. Rest in piece Lee. TOOT

  3. I knew Lee through our mutual time at Central Livestock in West Fargo and also as a personal friend. I enjoyed visiting with him at his home when he lived on Broadway in Fargo.

  4. The ebsen family were our neighbors when they lived south of horace. George and david played pinochle e eings with Lee and dallas. They had horses and rode often. Going to miss him.sharon and george

  5. Five more years and he would have made it to a hundred. Lee, the oldest of three, passed away sixty-three days after his younger brother, Jim. Both of you are now free from pain and with your mom, dad, Joan, Val and little Christopher. Rest in Peace. Condolences from one Ebsen clan to another. You both will be missed.
    Cookie, Elizabeth, and Jessica

  6. I as so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. He and Darrell shared many good times over the years… now they are in the “happy hunting ground” together. Prayers and peace.

  7. Ebsen family…..It was my honor to have presented Lee a quilt of valor a few months ago. He had the best smile and laugh! Honor his memory with a salute to the flag and may he rest in peace! Job well done Lee!

  8. Condolences to the Ebsen family. Gary and I both worked at the Stockyards in the 60’s & early 70’s and that’s how we met Lee. He was such a happy pleasant guy and fun to visit with. He came to see us after we moved to Minnesota lake country to check out the log cabin we build as he had plans to build one on his island. We never heard if he was able to fulfill that dream, we hope so. He will be missed.

    RIP Lee!

  9. Very sorry to learn of Lee’s passing. He was a friend of my dad’s through their time at the Stockyards, and I got to know him through spending time many summers at work with my dad. We were guests at the cabin on the island many times in the early ‘90’s, shared a number of laughs and made many memories. He certainly lived a long, eventful life, and I hope Dalice and family find comfort in memories of the good times and laughs had along the way. You’re all in my thoughts.

  10. Always enjoyed visiting with Lee. Even as a young kid, he would take the time to chat even when he had several “irons in the fire”. I remember sitting in his gray Chevy pickup and him showing us his CB. He was the first “outdoorsman” that I ever met and I admired all the cool hunting stuff he had. I remember Dalice taking Scott and I into the Sheyenne Bar to see Lee. He was one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever known. RIP Lee!

  11. Cheryl and family, I was so sorry to hear of the death of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Coralie Fix

  12. Jon,
    My sincere condolences for your loss. I’m extending to you an open invitation for lunch. Please let me know and join me when you can. I wish I had known your father. Cordially, Gary

  13. Prayers and hugs to the family. Lee led an incredible life and left a legacy in the family he leaves behind. We are so sorry for your loss. What we know is his family loved him so much!

  14. My sympathies to Lee’s family Lee and I worked for Central back in the 80s
    What great memories of work hunting with Lee Jerry and Darrell out in the badlands
    My kids still talk a out the island and swinging on the rope into the lake
    Rest in peace my dear friend

    Dan Treangen Waukon Iowa

  15. Cookie,
    We were so very sorry to hear of Jim‘s passing. Our prayers have been with you. He was always fun to visit with and he was always a wealth of information. Of course, I liked to visit with him about the old days of Mahnomen as that is where I am from. We know you have suffered a great loss and if you stay in the neighborhood please know that we are going to be there for you. Please know that we have been thinking about you and our prayers have been with you.


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