Chris Lennon

Christopher Robert Lennon was born on March 23rd, 1951 in Michigan to Robert "Bob" and Helen Lennon. His long and fruitful education in life began shortly after. He spent his childhood in the hills of West Virginia under the careful direction of his sisters Susan and Kate along with his older brother Mike. Chris always had a twinkle in his eye (thanks Helen) an impish grin on his face (thanks Bob), and a razor-sharp wit. He was cured of his childhood asthma by a yearlong trip to Vietnam in 1970 sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. Upon returning home from Vietnam he took up resuming formal education at the University of Wisconsin River Falls earning his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture. There he met the love of his life, a 1974 black Norton Commando. He also met his future wife Jean (nee Conrad) who was studying nursing and decided "well this guy seems interesting". After a few years of shenanigans Chris and Jean got married at the Conrad family farm in North Bend, Wisconsin on July 2, 1978. October of that same year his son Mark was born on Halloween. The #2 son Michael was born in 1983, RUDELY interrupting one of many beloved salmon fishing trips. After pulling all the fish out of Lake Michigan, they packed up the blue truck and moved out west to the muddy waters of the Mississippi River. He then took a job for the Army Corps of Engineers on the dredge William A. Thompson. Figuring 'if you can't beat em, join em', he became a police officer in Wisconsin and began a 35-year career in Law Enforcement. Chris and his family then settled in St Charles MN in 1986 after Jean took a job at the Mayo Clinic. Deciding the local police department needed an Irish cop he joined up part-time for money to buy (and fix) British motorcycles. When he wasn't riding British twins, Chris spent many summers on the Mississippi in his boat fishing and the fall through the rolling fields of southeast MN hunting grouse and pheasants. Subsequently the family always ate well. He loved to swim and shared that love with his boys. Chris was an ardent believer in lifelong education- he had a knack of explaining complicated topics into easy to understand ideas. Chris loved to debate subjects such as politics, and greatly enjoyed anyone who was able to verbally spar with himself. He took great pleasure in rewarding neighborhood kids for good grades and had an innate ability to recognize the potential people possess.
In 2003 after raising 2 boys he needed a new, safer adventure and traveled to Iraq. He traveled as a contractor For Operation Iraqi Freedom in November and returned again in January 2005. After skipping out on prime bird hunting with his new bird dog, Sage, she proceeded to tear up the good leisure chair in the living room- ask Jean about it. Chris took great pride in these deployments, often speaking highly of the people he worked with and the help he was able to give. He also traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and helped during the Red River floods in North Dakota.
Chris ended his long career in law enforcement in June of 2020, he loved the people he worked with and the community he was able to serve. He sadly left behind a job at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN.
Chris was a lifelong educator, loving father to his sons, loving husband to his wife. He saw the good in many people and always willing to help anyone in need.
He died suddenly but peacefully August 9th 2020 surrounded by his family and showered by love from friends and family afar. He was preceded in death by his dad Robert, mother Helen, and grandson Marcellus Lennon. He leaves behind his wife Jean, son Mark (Suwannee) Lennon and grandchildren Lincoln and Shiloh, son Michael (Morgan) Lennon and grandchildren Ethan, Weston, and Sola, siblings Susan Devita, Kate (John) Murphy, and Michael (Sue) Lennon, nephews Steve, Chris, nieces Theresa and Rachel. Beloved by many, all the lives he has touched through the years will feel a void in his absence. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to the Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever, or the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. The family will have a private celebration of his life. Memories and well wishes can be shared on the virtual guestbook. Semper Fi Gomez, and don't overrun your headlights.
Chris' family will hold a private family memorial. Please share a memory of Chris at his online guestbook and view his video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.