Leslie "Les" Segerdahl

An unwavering source of quiet strength and the rock of his family, Leslie Segerdahl truly understood the secret to a life well lived. He found great contentment in the simple joys of life, and his witty, sometimes dark sense of humor could get a laugh out of anyone. There was nothing that made Les happier than being with those he loved. His solid work ethic and limitless generosity left an impact on so many. Already so greatly missed, Les will be forever loved by those who knew him best.

The 1960s were some exciting years to be living in the United States of America. The decade is best remembered for the influential civil rights movement. In the world of agriculture, the Green Revolution was underway, seeking to reduce world hunger. It was during this historical era that Leonard & Jacqueline (Hurst) Segerdahl of Kalamazoo, Michigan, were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their baby boy. The family hailed from Kalmar, Sweden, and ran a generational farm that had been passed down from Leonard’s father. On September 7 of 1964, Leslie Brent was born. He was one of three children in the Segerdahl household and was raised alongside his two sisters, Pamela and Joy.

Growing up, Les was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. From a young age, his Swedish heritage was very important to him. His dad started teaching Les about his heritage and the joys of agriculture, even letting him drive the lawn tractor at just four years old! Les started dreaming of one day taking over the family farm. As a young man working with his dad on the farm, they had personalized license plates on their trucks that read Swede I and Swede II! Les attended local Schoolcraft schools, where he ran track, played basketball, and played the saxophone. Above all else, he felt drawn to agriculture, and he started fully working on the farm in high school.

An exciting chapter was about to unfold in Les’ life as he met the young woman who would eventually become his wife. Her name was Betty-Jane, and the two first met in 1986 on a blind date with their friends, Tim and Tracy. The group went to the movies to see Youngblood and then went out to McDonald’s for ice cream. Thankfully, the ice cream machine happened to be working that day! Les and Betty-Jane hit it off right away. Both had grown up in the farming community, and there was an instant spark between them. Over their years of dating, getting ice cream became a tradition for the young couple. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Les and Betty-Jane were married in 1991 in the backyard of their house, surrounded by the farmland.

Before long, Les’ family began to grow. He and Betty-Jane were overjoyed to welcome their two children, Shelby and Alex, into their hearts and home. Les thrived in his role as a father, and he took great care to pass the values of farm life down to his kids. Shelby and Alex would have fond memories of sitting in the tractor and playing football in the yard with their dad and driving the golf cart between the house and the farm. Les instilled in them both the importance of a good work ethic, and he taught them to take pride in who they were. The Segerdahl family enjoyed taking winter trips to the Great Wolf Lodge, and they even enjoyed many memorable vacations to Disney World as well.

Les went above and beyond to provide for his family, and he ran his farm with a masterful hand. Over the years, he grew corn, grain, soybeans, wheat, and sometimes oats. Les raised chickens for fun and always knew exactly where to find the eggs. He made sure the farm was always in perfect order, with rows planted straight and the shop floor so clean some would say you could eat off of it. Whenever he needed to pick something up for the farm, Les would drive around to John Deere. His farming heritage was so integral to who he was.

Throughout Les’ 28-year marriage to Betty-Jane, the family loved going camping together. They enjoyed going to the Upper Peninsula, and they also made trips to Toronto and Houston. The large, winding highways of the cities left Les eager to get back to his farm. He and Betty-Jane went to many K-Wings games together. Later in life, they went through their sacred separation but remained close friends, united by the family they shared.

In his free time, Les loved watching the Detroit Lions, as well as Michigan State Spartan basketball and football. Last March, Les was able to attend a Denver Nuggets game with his children, Shelby and Alex. Around the farm, he would often blast some 50 Cent while driving the tractor. Some of Les’ favorite foods included cool ranch Doritos, Taco John’s, moose chocolate cake from Hooter’s, Pepsi, and a quarter pounder with cheese and mocha frappe from McDonald’s. Whenever he and Shelby went out for lunch, Les would joke, “You forgot your wallet again, didn’t ya?” He was always one to lighten the mood. Dedicated to serving those around him, Les’ actions spoke louder than his words, letting his friends and family members know just how much they were loved.

When looking back on the life of Leslie Segerdahl, it is easy to see both his unwavering determination and his unconditional love that touched so many. Opinionated, headstrong, and hardworking, he poured his heart and soul into all that he did. Les’ family was his greatest treasure, and he was always ready with a listening ear and a sound piece of advice to offer. His dedication to serve others and carry on the family farming legacy will not soon be forgotten. Although life will never be the same without Les here, he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever keep close.

Leslie Segerdahl of Schoolcraft, age 61, died on February 19, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his former wife: Betty-Jane Long; children: Shelby Segerdahl and Alexander Segerdahl; in-laws: Lynn & Louellen Horn, Stephen (Margaret) Long; sisters: Joy (Gary) Gerow, and Pamela Segerdahl, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 27, 2026, at the Grain Elevator at Celery Flats 7328 Garden Lane Portage, MI 49024 from 1 PM into the evening. Celebrate Les’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made directly to the American Stroke Association, Future Farmers of America, or Gift of Life Michigan. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes 6080 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 375-2900.