Leander "Lee" Hallgren

 Leander “Lee” Hallgren,

Age 86

Passed away on June 6, 2021. Preceded in death by parents, Marie and Conrad; brother, Gilbert, Dennis, and Ronald. Survived by loving wife of 61 years, Rose Anne; children, Joe (Suzan Zniewski), Anne. Lee grew up on a farm in Royalton Minnesota, graduated from University of St. Thomas (’57) in St. Paul and worked as a chemist for Honeywell for 33 years. In 1990 he took early retirement to pursue his many interests. Through his volunteer activities Lee saw a need for technology to help children with disabilities thrive in school. He designed and patented a switch to accomplish just that. Working alongside a group of people dedicated to transforming the lives of children with disabilities, they formed AbleNet, a company dedicated to that very mission. In celebration of his achievements, Lee was awarded an “11 Who Care” award, the 1990 St. Thomas’s Humanitarian award as well as the Presidential Award for Private Sector Initiatives which included AbleNet and he received on behalf of Honeywell at the White House. Lee volunteered at the Science Museum of Minnesota where he pursued his passion for paleontology. Lee loved gardening and he maintained an extraordinary garden in his own yard. He worked vigorously to support the Como Park Conservatory and was past President of the MN Horticultural Society. Lee had a talent for sharing his horticultural expertise with everyone from garden clubs to children in the neighborhood. Lee loved garage sales and scrounging for things people discarded so that he could make them work and give them to those in need. His care for people and love of tinkering and invention led him into volunteering through 4-H, AccessAbility Inc. and Cub Scouts.  A special thank you to all the compassionate staff at Region’s Hospital Surgical Intensive Care Unit for the wonderful care given to Lee during his final days. Visitation 4-7PM, Thursday, June 17, at O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home (575 Snelling Ave S., 651-698-0796). Mass of Christian Burial 10AM, Friday, June 18, at Church of Saint Louis King of France (506 Cedar St., St. Paul). Celebration of Life at Joseph’s Grill (140 Wabasha Street South, St. Paul) following Mass. Memorials preferred to AccessAbility, Inc.  or St. Thomas University class of 1957 endowed scholarship

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