He was born on May 13, 1947, in Laurium to Uno and Elsie (Lindquist) Laplander.

Leslie grew up in Florida Location and attended local schools. He enlisted in the Army in July of 1964. He spent one year in Germany and one year in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1967.

Following his time in the military he worked at various jobs in lower Michigan and settled in Milwaukee, where he and his wife, Deb, raised their five children.

He retired from Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company after 30 years in 2001, and retired to the U.P. of Michigan. Leslie was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to spend time with his brothers of the Busch.

He was a devoted family man and enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren at the camp at Rice Lake.

Leslie was very active and enjoyed walking many summer miles around the Keweenaw. Leslie made the most out of everyday and always helped the less fortunate anyway he could.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 37 years, Debby; five children, Jennifer (Chuck) Peavy, Aimee (Brian) Kesti, Isaac (Jenny) Laplander, Adam (Jenn) Laplander, Tina (Chris) Johnson; 11 grandchildren, Wyatt (Jackie), Abbey, Austin, Hayden, Makenna, Gracia, Emma, Abraham, Cheyenne, Aspen and Josie.

We love you and will miss you, Papa!

Leslie is also survived by one sister, Barbara Haataja; two brothers, Donald Laplander and Douglass Laplander; two sister-in-laws, Joanne Sterbenz and Shirley Clark; two brother-in-laws, Gunnard (Phyllis) Weijola and Dan Weijola; special uncle, Kenny Laplander; aunts; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends!

Preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elaine Dings; several sister-in-laws and several brother-in-laws.

Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2016.

A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2016, with Pastor Tony Laidlaw to officiate.

Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson .com

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.