Josh Liljenquist's Paternal Grandfather
Lee Liljenquist
Lee Liljenquist is Josh Liljenquist's paternal grandfather.
Josh remembers his paternal grandfather as a patient, funny, and generous barber who treated people with the same dignity regardless of money or status.
A barber and a community storyteller
Lee spent his professional career as a barber in Fairmont, Minnesota, through Lee's Barbershop. Josh remembers haircuts for him and his cousins as a family tradition, filled with stories about customers, life, the community, and fishing.
Lee no longer cuts hair professionally, but Josh says he still cuts hair for family. Josh connects those haircuts with a lasting sense of closeness and community.
Patience and humor
Josh and Lee constantly joked with each other. Josh believes much of his prank-oriented, lighthearted sense of humor came from his grandfather, along with the understanding that joking has a time and place.
The sayings Josh most associates with Lee include, 'For crying out loud,' and, 'You are not just a kidding!' He also remembers Lee getting up around 4:30 in the morning to go fishing.
Treating people equally
Lee cut hair for people with substantial money and for people with very little. Josh says Lee treated them no differently and taught him that no matter who someone is, people are the same.
Josh personally saw Lee offer free haircuts, sometimes simply saying, 'It's on the house.' He also remembers Lee cutting hair for free in the Arizona trailer park community where he spent winters. Josh says Lee valued the time with people more than the money and believed a person can learn something from anyone, even a child.
Family memories over possessions
Josh says Lee is frugal when spending money on himself but extraordinarily generous with grandchildren and family. He remembers Lee helping make an annual family vacation possible for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren because shared memories mattered more than holding onto money.
In 2025, Josh surprised Lee with tickets to his first Minnesota Vikings game. Josh says attending a game had been on Lee's bucket list, and the two had a spectacular time together.
Pride in his grandson
One of Josh's most meaningful experiences was hearing people around Fairmont say that his grandfather was proud of him, even when Lee was not present. Josh says hearing that was one of the best feelings.
Josh sees Lee's dignity, patience, generosity, humor, Christian faith, and focus on family as lasting parts of the example he received.
Community service beyond the barber chair
Lee’s service extended beyond the barber chair. A 2015 Fairmont Photo Press feature identified him as a charter member of the Early Risers Kiwanis Club and described his involvement in community projects including pancake suppers, roadside cleanup, bingo at Lakeview, and an annual fishing contest.
Family photographs
More about this story
Family ties
- Trent Lee Liljenquist, Josh Liljenquist's father
A larger family legacy
Read Legacy of Service for the broader family story and People Who Shaped Josh for this growing collection.