The Angels took Leslie “Les” Bown home at the age of 58 on Friday, September 18, 2026, at his home.

A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Lebanon Cemetery with Pastor Laura Cook presiding. Visitation will be 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg.

Les was born in Gettysburg on March 29, 1968, to Nick and Crystal (Engel) Bown. He attended Sully Buttes School in Onida, graduating in 1986. He continued his education at the School of Mines in Rapid City until 1990, when a motorcycle accident interrupted his studies. He later attended Western Dakota Technical Institute, where he studied welding.

After graduating, Les went to work for Agnus Palm in Watertown, where he welded tractor doors. He later moved to Aberdeen, where he worked at Twin City Fan. Eventually, Les moved back home to help on the ranch and later helped care for his father, who was in hospice care at home.

In 2023, Les moved out to the family ranch, where he spent time fixing fences with his mom and helping with the many things that come with ranch life. He traveled to Pierre each week to get groceries and spend time with his mom, brother Clay, and his family.

Les loved watching the birds, deer, pheasants, rabbits, and squirrels. He also enjoyed fishing and trapping raccoons. One of his greatest loves was working on his 1955 Chevy and other old cars.

Les is survived by his mother, Crystal of Pierre; brother, Clayton (Melinda) of Fort Pierre; step-nephews, Thomas and Ethan Vetsch of Pierre and Brian Vetsch of Fort Pierre; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Nicholas; grandparents, Sidney and Lorraine Bown and Vincent and Katherine Engel; and uncles, Michael Bown and Leo Engel.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Les’ arrangements.

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