H. Lee Minton II

MINTON, H. Lee, II H. Lee Minton, II, 82, Orchard Owner and Leader in the Financial Services Industry Dies. H. Lee Minton, II, owner of Eau Claire Orchards and former owner of Minton Financial Services, Inc./BPA died on Wednesday, (April 6, 2005), at the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire, WI. He was 82. Lee and his wife, Betty Lou, moved to Eau Claire in the cold winter of 1950, when he purchased an interest in the Slagsvol Insurance Agency. Over the next forty years he was instrumental in building a fully diversified independent financial services business which continues today as Minton Financial Services, Inc./BPA, now owned and managed by Lee's son, Buzz Minton, of Eau Claire. Lee received numerous awards over the span of his business career and was honored to be named the Travelers Insurance Company's General Agent of the Year in 1980. Eau Claire Orchards began as Lee's retirement dream when he began planting trees in 1985, preparing for his exit from the financial services business. For the next twenty years, the residents of Eau Claire and surrounding areas have enjoyed special autumn weekends at the orchard and succulent apples from Lee's trees; most notably the Honey Crisp, which he introduced to the area in 1995. From his earliest years, Lee was a passionate outdoorsman, traveling extensively throughout North America. He hunted and fished for many years in the Alaskan frontier, Montana, and the Canadian Arctic. Lee was quite proud of the 55" Northern Pike he boated in Ontario, in the spring 2004, his final trip to Canada. The Chippewa Flowage in Hayward, WI, was Lee's special retreat where he hunted deer, caught many muskies, and enjoyed his rustic log cabin with his family and friends. Lee was instrumental in a number of community activities. He helped found the Community Chest (now known as the United Way); was the chair of the YMCA board of directors; and served on the board for the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Lions Club and Visiting Nurses Association. Lee was also intimately involved in Luther Hospital's growth and development. He served on the Luther board of directors from 1963 to 1978 and was a life member of the Samaritan Club. In 1994, Lee received special recognition Luther Hospital Development Council, who named him the Good Samaritan of the Year. Lee was born in Los Angeles, CA on September 5, 1922. He attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. During World War II, Lee served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, traveling the world aboard the USS Atlanta. Lee is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Lou Minton; his son, Buzz Minton (Mary Ann) of Eau Claire, WI; his daughters, Chris Henricks (Ed), of Eau Claire, WI, and Jenny Minton, of Stone Lake, WI; his sisters, Cozette Lang, of Appleton, WI, and Harriet Strand, of San Juan Capistrano, California; his granddaughters, Alison Minton, of Boulder, CO, and Emily Minton, of Eau Claire, WI; and four nieces and nephews. For those interested in helping preserve the undeveloped wilderness of Lee's favorite lake, the Chippewa Flowage, you may contribute your memorial to the Couderay Waters Regional Land Trust/Chippewa Islands Project (make checks payable to CWRLT/CHIP, and send to Louise Helm, PO Box 13097, Hayward, WI 54843). Memorials may also be made to Luther Hospital, 1221 Whipple St., Eau Claire, WI, 54703; First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway, Eau Claire, WI, 54701; or, The Eau Claire YMCA, 710 Graham Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701. A Memorial service celebrating Lee's life will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 11 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ with The Reverend Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini officiating. Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Family and friends may sign the guest book online at www.fullerspeckien.com.