LeNoel William Lichtsinn was born on October 11, 1932 to William and Mable (Lundquist) Lichtsinn in Wheaton, MN. LeNoel (“Lix” or “Lee”) grew up and attended school in Wheaton, graduating from high school in 1950. He attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis and was employed by the McCabe Grain Exchange. He enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served at Fort Leonard Wood, being assigned to administrative duties and a leadership position in a program to train recruits with disadvantaged backgrounds. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in February 1955.