Lenis Arthur Defries was born on August 31, 1948, in Windom, Minnesota to the late Hubert and Buena (Converse) Defries. He was baptized and confirmed in Windom. Lenis received his education in the Windom Public Schools, graduating in the Class of 1966. Lenis then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country until being honorably discharged in 1970 and returning to Windom. In June of 1973, Lenis was united in marriage to Jill Spessard in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Lisa and Ginger. Lenis began working at the TORO company in Windom in 1970 and held many positions there with his last position being a supervisor before retiring in 2008 after thirty-eight dedicated years. Lenis then became a part-time custodian at the Windom School District for six years until March of 2019. Through the years, Lenis had many enjoyments in life which included fishing, hunting, cribbage-he was the state champion in 2018, volunteering, was a proud veteran who was able to take part in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2018, and most of all enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Last week, Lenis was placed in hospice care at the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom where he passed away on Sunday afternoon, August 23, 2020 at the age of 71 years. Lenis was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom; a thirty year member of the Windom Lion's Club and a thirty-nine year member of the American Legion Post #206 in Windom where he was a member of the honor guard for funerals. Lenis is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Jill Defries of Windom; two daughters, Lisa (Carl Nielsen) Defries of Grand Meadow; Ginger Fitzpatrick of Rochester; three grandchildren, Annastacia, Levi, and Spencer; two great-grandchildren, Serenity and Trinity; one brother and two sisters, Loren Defries of Windom; Norma (Jody) Horkey of Crawford, NE; Karla (Pat) Mullennix of Amarillo, TX and several nieces and nephews. Lenis is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Garry Defries; one sister, Karmen Defries; and sister-in-law, Glenda Defries. Memorials preferred to the American Legion Post #206~Windom, Minnesota