Les Ashdown

Leslie (Les) Ashdown, 81 years, of Highmore, SD, went to his heavenly father unexpectedly Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at the Avera Specialty Hospital. 

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private family funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the Church of Christ in Highmore with Pastor Jeffry McKean officiating.  Private burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.  A walk-through public visitation was held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Church of Christ.

Les Arthur Ashdown was born June 24, 1938, in Highmore, South Dakota to Walter and Sadie (Hale) Ashdown as the youngest of six siblings.  He grew up on the family farm in Lincoln Township north of Highmore and went to Lincoln Country School.  He graduated from Highmore High School in 1956.  Much of his early life was spent taking care of his mother and his aunt Blanch. His love of farming started at a very young age and lasted a lifetime. He put his whole heart into the family farm with hard work and a dependence on Jesus to provide at every turn.

He was a most eligible bachelor when he met the love of his life, Elaine, and they were married March 4, 1983.  With the children and grandchildren all in the wedding, a big family was made. Les and Elaine loved to travel early on in their marriage including places like Alaska, Florida, Tennessee, Bahamas, and many other vacation destinations. One of his favorite past times was listening to his beautiful bride play some of his favorite hymns on the piano.

In 1984, Brian and Susan Bast moved to the homeplace and joined in working with Les all the way until his death. As the Bast family grew, their sons (Prentice, Dickson, and Roman) joined in learning the ways of farming which was driven by taking care of the land the Lord gave him. Ashdown Farms was a farming and ranching operation until 1997 when one of the worst winters on record helped Les make the decision to get out of the cattle side of the business. The farm has continued to grow over the years, and he remained active on the farm all the way through.

With his gift of creativity, he could have easily been an engineer or inventor.  His farm was a mix of state-of-the-art equipment and some equipment that was uniquely Les! From building his own tractor to unique machinery repairs, every “custom” piece had its specific purpose and did the job well.

He was a long-time member and leader of the Highmore Church of Christ where he served in every capacity and shared the story of God’s amazing grace in his life. As a life-time community member, he served meals-on-wheels, served treats and provided music with Elaine at Highmore Health and could be found helping anyone with projects big or small.

He will always be remembered for his soft-spoken and genuine words that he spoke into the lives of those who loved him. If one was ever wondering where to find Grandpa, he was either on a long walk (rain or shine), riding his bike, running in his work boots, or taking a nap wherever he sat down. If he wasn’t at the farm, family was where his heart was. He was a gracious host to all 30+ of us as we invaded his home with a lot of noise and love.  The only quiet time during holiday gatherings was the few seconds before Grandpa Les prayed.

His legacy of faith has influenced and will continue to influence generations who witnessed his humble dependence on Jesus and the joy he found in the strength of his Lord. 

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife of 37 years, Elaine (Hamlin) (Hale) Ashdown; children, Peggy (Craig) Fausett, Highmore, SD, Allan Hale, Tripp, SD, and Robert (Lesley) Hale, Yankton, SD; grandchildren Heath (Danelle) Hale, Highmore, SD, Amy (Jason) Gebhard, Mitchell, SD, Fredel (Jason) Thomas, Mitchell, SD, Andrew (Becky) Fausett, Grand Island, NE, Steve (Jenna) Hale, Tea, SD, Laine (Corey) Weerheim, Mitchell, SD, Brady Hale, and Lindsey Hale, Yankton, SD; great grandchildren Kassie and Dawson Hale, Caleb and Levi Gebhard, Jalen, Verity, Truin, and Wakiya Thomas, Isaac and Elijah Fausett, Griffin, Porter, and Murphy Hale, and Billie Weerheim; sister Ethel Gusaas, Valley City, ND; sisters-in-law Lilly Ashdown, Highmore, SD, Leona Hamlin, Highmore, SD, Ruth Hamlin, Arlington, WA, Eunice Hamlin, Ocean Park, WA, brother-in-law Dick Hamlin, Highmore, SD; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Hugh, Glen, and Carl Ashdown and one sister, Ruth Robertson; son, Patrick Hale, daughter-in-law, Billie Hale, brothers-in-law, Wayne Hamlin, Myron (Jack) Hamlin, Leonard Hamlin, and sister-in-law Izzy Hamlin.

If you wish to share a memory of Les, please email your memories to info@familyfuneralhome.net.  The message will be placed on a white balloon and given to the family.  Please email messages no later than 10:00 p.m., Sunday, May 10^th for them to be present at the funeral service.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Les’ arrangements.