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Lester "Skip" Ashton Jr., age 58, of rural Waubun, MN, died Saturday, September 8, 2018, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Lester Charles Ashton Jr. was born April 1, 1960, in Minneapolis, MN, to Lester Sr. and Marcia (Westphall) Ashton. He attended school in Bemidji, MN, graduating from Bemidji High School with the class of 1978. In his early years, Skip enjoyed hockey, wrestling, archery and riding dirt bike. Following high school, Skip worked with his dad, learning the construction trade. He met Virginia Bellino in August of 1986 in Bemidji and together they welcomed their son, Cody, into the world on May 29, 1991. Over the years, Skip worked various jobs and spent time living in other states. While in Colorado, he worked at a ski lodge and breaking horses. Upon returning to Minnesota, Skip started his own construction business, a task in which he took great pride in. He also spent time in Sioux Falls, SD, working for his good friend, Jake Decker, at East River Concrete. The past couple years he was employed at Grease Monkey Automotive in Mahnomen, which is owned and operated by his dear friend, Bill Beckman.

As a true outdoorsman, Skip enjoyed hunting, logging, fishing, golfing, and racing. Family was always near and dear to him and he kept them close to his heart. He loved spending time with all of them, especially his grandchildren, his true pride and joy! Skip was extremely proud of his son, Cody, and his granddaughter, Charlee, who was born October 11, 2017. Skip was a fun loving, caring and generous person who will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He had an awesome personality with a great sense of humor and he could bring out the smiles in any situation. May that same smile come across your face any time you hear one of his favorite sayings, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah".

Skip is survived by his son, Cody (Hayley) Ashton and special granddaughter, Charlee, of Fargo, ND; children and grandchildren he considered family: Corey, Kenny (Amber), and Tony (Jayme) Bellino, and Anthony "Buddy" and Ann LaGue; grandchildren: Morgan Haverkamp, Maddie and Parker LaGue; his mother, Marcia Linehan of Clackamas, OR; five sisters: Sherri (Bob) Wallace of Clackamas, OR, Lynda (Gary) Hilliard of Tigard, OR, Judith (Ron) Tengwall of Sandstone, MN, Stacy Meyer of Eagen, MN, and Heidi Tonce of Bemidji, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Ashton Sr; step-mom, Millie Ashton; and brother-in-law, Glen Hettenhouser.

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