[5] After earning a history and English degree four years later from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, he sold real estate and was Mary's admissions coordinator before he ran for state treasurer.
[5] A Republican, Lesmeister was elected state treasurer in 1980, narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Bob Hanson.
Hanson ran against Lesmeister four years later and ousted him in another close race.
[5] He moved to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1990, where he worked at Innovis Health and as a substitute teacher.
[5] Lesmeister died in Fargo, North Dakota, on February 28, 2006, of natural causes.