Wesley 'Wes' Belleson

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Belleson, Wesley "Wes" Passed away in Venice, FL on April 12, 2015 at the age of 92. He was born in Jewell, Iowa on April 8, 1923. His family moved and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wes graduated from West High School in 1941. He attended one semester at the University of Minnesota. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Fort Snelling. His training began at Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado where he was entered in the armament section and became a tail gunner on a B-24 heavy bomber. He was assigned to the 458th bomb group stationed at Horsham St. Faith Air Field outside of Norwich, Norfolk, England. He completed 30 missions over Europe. His last mission was completed on D-Day invasion. He was awarded the Air Medal with cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was discharged in the fall of 1945. In 1948, he and his father Lars founded Belleson's Men's Clothing store in Edina. When his father passed away in 1956, Wes became sole owner. He continued with the store until retiring in 1975 when he moved to his vacation home in Akeley, MN, and later moved to Venice, FL, where he lived out the remainder of his years. His first wife Laverne, passed away in 1961 of cancer. His second wife Marjorie, passed away in 1999 of cancer. He is survived by his wife Heidi, of Venice, FL; daughter Leslie Ascheman (Dean) of Rosemount, MN, and son Jim (Donna) of Lewisburg, PA, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren in addition to his dog, Minnie.

Published on April 22, 2015