The LeSage Funeral Home was founded by Albert P. LeSage in 1896, when he opened his office and quarters at 1715 Broadway. In 1905, Mr. Albert P. LeSage moved to 1113-1115 Ogden Avenue. In 1909, he occupied the old mortuary at 1813-15 North Twelfth Street, the first building ever constructed for funeral purposes, in either Northern Wisconsin or Northern Minnesota.
The Colonial two-story building at 1304 Hammond Avenue opened in 1930, which now represents the current location of the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home.
Coad A. LeSage was the executive head of the LeSage mortuary in 1919. In 1922, he received his embalmer's license. After he was granted a license to practice in Minnesota, the illness of his father, Albert P. LeSage, in 1924, Mr. Coad LeSage was placed in active management of the business and assumed the reins in 1926, following the death of his father. Coad LeSage was the first vice president of the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association. Coad dedicated the funeral home on 1304 Hammond Avenue to his father, Albert P. LeSage.
Warren T. LeSage joined the firm in 1927 and received his diploma in 1930. Warren was the assistant when the LeSage Funeral Home opened in 1930.
Thomas LeSage attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated from the Department of Mortuary Science. He received his Funeral Director's license in 1960. Tom LeSage retired in 1986 when William Downs Jr. purchased Downs-LeSage Funeral Home.
William Downs III purchased Downs-LeSage Funeral Home in 2009 after the death of his father.
