John S. Lesmeister
Born
John Steven Lesmeister

(1955-10-03)October 3, 1955
Dickinson, North Dakota, United States
DiedFebruary 28, 2006(2006-02-28) (aged 50)
Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Resting placeSt. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck, North Dakota, United States[1]
46°48′53.24″N 100°45′22.00″W / 46.8147889°N 100.7561111°W / 46.8147889; -100.7561111
Occupation(s)Politician, college admissions counselor, real estate agent, hospital aide, substitute teacher
SpouseCindy Ulm (1982 - unknown)[1]

John Steven Lesmeister (October 3, 1955[1][2][3] – February 28, 2006[2][3]) was a North Dakota politician who served as the 30th North Dakota State Treasurer[4] from 1981 to 1984.

Biography

Lesmeister was born in Dickinson, North Dakota, and grew up in Halliday, North Dakota, where he was graduated from high school in 1973.[5]

After earning a history and English degree four years later from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, he sold real estate and was Mary's admissions coordinator before he ran for state treasurer. He won the Republican endorsement in 1980 at age 25.[5]

A Republican, Lesmeister was elected state treasurer in 1980, narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Bob Hanson. Hanson ran against Lesmeister four years later and ousted him in another close race.[5]

After the loss, Lesmeister ran unsuccessfully for state labor commissioner in 1986—it was an elected office at the time—and briefly sought Republican support two years later to run for secretary of state.[5]

He moved to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1990, where he worked at Innovis Health and as a substitute teacher.[5]

Lesmeister died in Fargo, North Dakota, on February 28, 2006, of natural causes.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Boulger Funeral Home: Obituaries: John Lesmeister". Boulger Funeral Home. March 1, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "North Dakota Dept. of Heath Public Death Index". North Dakota Dept. of Heath. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "John Lesmeister". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Fargo, N.D.: Forum Communications. March 2, 2006. p. B5. ISSN 0895-1292. OCLC 9563116. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "SunBehm Gas, Inc. v. Lesmeister, 308 N.W.2d 555 (N.D. 1981)". North Dakota Supreme Court Opinions. North Dakota Supreme Court. July 20, 1981. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "John Lesmeister, former state treasurer, dies". Fargo, N.D. Associated Press State and Local Wire. March 2, 2006.

External links

Party political offices Preceded byBernice Asbridge Republican nominee for North Dakota State Treasurer 1980, 1984 Succeeded bySteve Easton Political offices Preceded byRobert E. Hanson North Dakota State Treasurer 1981–1984 Succeeded byRobert E. Hanson
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