Leslie Olgar “Les” Visten, 82, a longtime resident of the Samish Community, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
Les was born on July 1, 1931 in Everett, WA, the son of Olgar & Sylvia (Ottoway) Visten. The family moved to Sedro-Woolley when Les was a child and there he was raised and attended school, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1949. Les then went to work as a sawyer for Fauser Shake cutting cedar shingles & shakes for several years.
On June 27, 1950 Les was united in marriage to Joan Wagner in Sedro-Woolley and they made their home there until moving to the Samish area in 1956.
When duty called, Les served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
In 1958 he began working as a truck driver for the Golden Rule Bakery, working there until 1963 when he began his career in law enforcement, first working as a deputy for the Skagit County Sheriff’s Department, patrolling the upper Skagit Valley area, then in 1970 he went to work for the Sedro-Woolley Police Department where he worked for 10 years, first as a patrolman and retiring as a Detective in 1979, after which he worked for Krouse Distributing for a couple years.
Les enjoyed hunting and fishing, attending rodeo’s, especially the Calgary Stampede and traveling in the motorhome.
Les is survived by his wife, Joan, at the family home; his son, Mick Visten and his wife Kathe of Samish; two grandchildren, Jason Visten of Mount Vernon and Micki Visten of New Hampshire; two great-grandchildren, Tyler & Shealeigh Visten; his brother, Richard Visten and his wife Diane and his sister, Janis Sollid and her husband Merc, all of Camano Island. His brother-in-law, John Wagner and his wife Peggy of Oregon and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Rood and her husband Ken of Bellingham, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Olgar & Sylvia Visten.
The family suggests that memorials be made to a charity of your choice.
Graveside Services for Les will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor Bill Bates officiating.
Mrs. Visten, I remember you telling us of your husband when you were our third grade teacher. I’m sorry to read of your loss. My thoughts to you and your family.
I met Les Visten when I moved to Sedro Woolley in 1971, I was so intriegued and wanted to learn everything I could with Law Enforcement so I could work one day in the Department. I always loved to go and talk to Marian Grimm (She was my idol) she was a no nonsence gal and very knowledgable how to handle the ‘bad guys’ She loved her job and where she worked, She always refeered the guys as “Her Boys” Les Visten, Rosie “Rosenkrantz” ,Paul Taylor and Smiley Anderson. They were all great guys, and she loved them all. Les was always so kind and understanding and had a firm but fair approach, and let you know he meant business. He and his family lived right above my parents house on hwy 9 and would wave when he went by towards town. Boy, do I miss those days, they were all a great crew.
Blessings to you Les, for your superior work ethics, your professionalism, and your unselfish service you served to keep us all safe for 10 years. May you rest in peace knowing you were so loved and appreciated, and by the way, THANK YOU.
So sorry about your loss, Les was a good friend of my late husband Harry Snell, Harry preceded him in dead in 1971. He would stop in for coffee with one of the State Patrolmen when he worked upriver. very wonderful, kind young man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Barb Snell & girls.
Hello Joan,
I just want to extend my sympathies on your losing Les. I know he will be missed by you and your family.
Sincerely,
Ione (Fisher) Benner
5302 N. Willoughby Drive
Prescott Valley AZ 86314
Joan So sorry for your loss Les was a great guy he will be missed