Lee Hinds

Lee W. Hinds May 25, 1938 to May 22, 2016        Roy and Audrey (Tollefson) Hinds welcomed their son Lee Roy Wright Hinds Jr. on May 25, 1938 on the second floor of Grandpa John Symonds Hinds’ hardware store in Park Rapids, MN.  Sister Jeannie joined the family four years later, and within a few more years, the Hinds family made their home in the tall pines and kettle lakes of Badoura Township.  Lee grew up exploring the handiwork of God first hand through fishing and hunting, sports, and spending time with his Tollefson cousins at Ottertail Lake.  Lee formed values during these years which he applied throughout his life, including love of family, faith, forestry, leadership, and community and church service.  Lee graduated from Akeley High School in 1955 and from the University of Minnesota School of Forestry in 1960.  With the help of lifelong college friends and his future sister-in-law Beverly, Lee met the love of his life, Bernice Clobes, who was a nursing student at neighboring Hamline University.  They were married July 11, 1959.      After receiving their degrees, Lee and Bernice moved west to Oakes, ND, where Lee began his professional nursery career raising trees for shelter belts to protect the land from erosion and provide habitat for wildlife.  After a few years Lee and Bernice moved to Bismarck to raise their family of three girls and two boys while Lee continued his work.  Lee’s gifts of humor and creating social connections allowed him to develop a network of friends and colleagues throughout the region.  He used his talent in progressive leadership and networking to benefit others through his involvement in national nurserymen committees and state organizations which included multiple Board member roles at Zion Lutheran Church and Dakota Zoo, President of the Lions International, and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 111.  He was a Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit recipient, and was awarded a Fellow with the Society of American Foresters.  As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Lee was a camping and nature guide, Girl Scout Dad and encouraging parent of Boy Scouts, hunting and fishing partner, and proud supporter of the kids in their school and church activities.  His Scouting legacy led to a son and two grandson Eagle Scouts, with a couple more working toward this goal.      In 2001 and newly retired, Lee and Bernice returned to his home area in Badoura Township, MN.  He spearheaded his 50th Akeley High School class reunion by re-connecting classmates, served on the Board of Directors with the Itasca Mantrap Co-op Electrical Association, and was honored as a 2013 Hubbard County Senior Volunteer.  He fished with his children and grandchildren, delivered Meals on Wheels with Bernice, and voraciously read print and later Talking Books.      On May 22, 2016, just a few days before his birthday, Lee went to his final home in heaven.  Lee’s confirmation verse was Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’  Lee had such trust in God to guide him, and his faith let him live his life without worry, therefore he was able to use his talents for the betterment of profession, community, and his family.      Lee will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Bernice; daughters Janice, Denver, CO; Kathryn, Fargo, ND, (Don Stallman), Caitlin (Gareth Nelson), Christopher, Jamison, and Jillian; Valerie, Stillwater, MN, (Patrick Gleason), William and Charles; and son Jonathan, Lino Lakes, MN, (Jennifer), Nicholas and Lauren.  He also leaves many nephews and nieces, cousins, and numerous friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Meredith, and son Gregory.       Lee was buried at Hubbard Cemetery on May 25th, his 78th birthday near Hinds lineage dating back to the late 1800’s, including Gregory (son), Lee Roy (father), John Symonds (grandfather), and Asher Temple (great grandfather).  A Celebration of Life is planned for June 11, at 11:00 AM, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, MN.      The family suggests memorials be donated to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association [Type 1], MN Braille and Talking Book Library, or the charity of your choice.