Cover photo for Leslie Synstelien's Obituary
Leslie Synstelien Profile Photo
1959 Leslie 2019

Leslie Synstelien

March 29, 1959 — January 20, 2019

Fergus Falls

Leslie Deneise Synstelien, née Dale passed away January 20th, 2019 surrounded by family and LB Hospice.. She did not go gentle into that good night, fighting cancer for two years past initial expectations.

Deneise (as she was called by everyone except her mother) was born March 29th, 1959 in Atlanta, GA. As a child, she performed music with “The Singing Dales”, a gospel group consisting of her parents, Garnett and Beverly Dale, and her younger siblings, Arlen, Kerri, Tracie, and Jason. While singing with the family, her siblings gave her the affectionate nickname of “Leather Lungs” thanks to her near herculean vocal endurance.

Deneise was an avid reader, seldom found without a book in hand. Whether they were works of fiction or non-fiction, it was most often literature with themes of truth and justice; ideals that expressed themselves in her writings, as well as her love for life, learning, and people. Ever the idealist, Deneise once cheekily wrote, “Police are all supermen...Judges are wise and just. No one ever lies to me. Walt Disney didn’t cuss.” She had an incredibly positive view of the world and felt deeply for anyone she saw in need. Such idealism was not based on naivety, but rather a fierce love that was founded in her faith. One of the greatest illustrations of this was when she moved to Kenya by herself for nearly a half a year to adopt a group of five siblings who had been orphaned.

Deneise's  wishes were to hold a luau in lieu of a funeral, so attendees are asked to please dress in Hawaiian shirts or similar island attire.

She is survived by her parents and four siblings; her husband, Steve; her children and their spouses, Seth & Mandi, Shawn, Hannah & Tim, and Daniel; her Kenyan children, Daniel, Paul, Samson, Lydia, and Peter; her grandchildren Landon, Titus, Ava, Kynlee, Rosella, Mandy, and Steve; as well as innumerable extended family and friends.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8

Clergy: Pastor Dan Mueller

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls


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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, January 25, 2019

1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Hilltop Celebration Church

525 MN-210, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Friday, January 25, 2019

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Hilltop Celebration Church

525 MN-210, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

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