John Lemley

Lemley, John B. age 50 of Chanhassen, passed away April 24, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Genell; brother, Brad; aunt, Pat Oleston; uncle, John Goessman (Donna); cousins, Greg Goessman, J.B. Goessman (Connie) and daughters, Christina and Julia; father- and mother-in-law, Al and Val Westerlund; sister- and brother- in-law, Monica Westerlund and Eric Bloedel; and many loving friends and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Betty Lemley, and an uncle, Bud Oleston. John's unflagging optimism inspired many during his nearly seven-year battle with adrenal cancer, a cancer so rare that it affects only one in 1 million people. Even without cancer, John was one in a million. He was a loving husband, a true and caring friend, a quick wit, a champion for justice, a dog lover and a willing mentor. John embodied Lance Armstrong's "LIVESTRONG" spirit. He participated in two LIVESTRONG bike rides two years after his cancer diagnosis, logging 100 miles in Philadelphia and in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, Texas. In 2007, he was one of 200 delegates chosen by the LIVESTRONG Foundation to visit Capitol Hill to rally support for legislation to make fighting cancer a national healthcare priority. Growing up in Bloomington, John attended Abraham Lincoln High School where he developed cherished lifelong friendships. He graduated from Hamline University and was an active leader in many Hamline organizations, including serving as president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His fraternity brothers, too, became close lifetime friends and have supported him every step of the way. John and his friends lovingly called his parents "Big Jim" and "Crazy Betty." The two served as role models and embraced each and every one of them throughout their lives. This year, a month prior to his passing, friends and family gathered around John to celebrate his 50th birthday. He rose to the occasion, greeting everyone with humor, a smile and heartfelt gratitude for what they had meant to him over the years. Last fall, John and Genell marked their 25th anniversary, a milestone they celebrated and embraced. John was an avid reader and had an insatiable appetite for public affairs. He had an inquiring mind and was committed to inspiring others to embrace learning and a commitment to excellence. He was passionate about his career in investment banking and personified best practices in support of public- and private-sector infrastructure, housing and economic development initiatives. John executed trend-setting, first-of-a-kind financing programs, including a unique lease- purchase program that was nationally recognized for its innovation. He had a personal commitment to affordable housing programs. We extend a sincere thank-you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for their wonderful care, guidance and support through the years. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, followed by a reception at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Memorials preferred to The Lance Armstrong Foundation, dedicated to fighting cancer and improving the lives of those affected by cancer (www.livestrong.org). Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel 952-975-0400

Tributes

John Lemley

May 1, 2011

Tributes

John Lemley

May 1, 2011

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