Lester Larson

Lester Larson was born February 13, 1918, on the family farm near Deer Park, Polk County, Wisconsin, the son of Ole and Celia (Knutson) Larson. Lester was baptized and confirmed at East Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amery, Wisconsin. Lester attended a 1 room country school through the 8th grade, he had to walk 1 mile to school. Lester later received his high school diploma through a government program after his military service. In 1940, Lester moved to Lewisville, Minnesota and began working for Tilney Farms as a dairy herdsman, living on the farm west of Lewisville for a year and a half. Lester was drafted into the Army in September 1941, he had basic training at Camp Roberts in California and Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1942, he was shipped to Australia, then to New Guinea and several other South Pacific Islands. In 1945, Lester was stationed on the East Coast where he processed G.I.'s returning from Europe who were being discharged. After his discharge from the service Lester spent some time with his family in Wisconsin before returning to his job with Tilney Farms in Lewisville. On June 26, 1949, Lester was united in marriage to Alta (Schaefer) Wojahn at Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville. In 1952 the couple moved to a farm near St. James, later purchasing a farm Southwest of Madelia. In 1984 Lester retired from farming and in 2003 they moved into St. James. Lester and Alta enjoyed 24 winters in Arizona. Lester enjoyed hiking, gardening, hunting, and having coffee with friends at the pool hall. Over the years Lester has been involved in many civic organizations to include Charter member, Past Commander and Drill Squad member of the Lewisville American Legion, member St. James VFW, youth firearms instructor, past Secretary/Treasurer City of Lewisville, member Lewisville Fire Dept., Fieldon Township Board, Watonwan Farm Service Board member 21 years chairman for 6 years, County Draft Board, and Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville where he's served as president and Secretary/Treasurer. Lester Larsonpassed away on Monday, March 6, 2017 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Lester is survived by 3 granddaughters; Robin Jensen of Winter Park, FL, Stephanie Hedstrom of Sarasota, FL, Michele (Kim) Hohenstein of Lakefield, MN, great-grandsons; Alex (Molly Streightiff) Hohenstein of Spencer, IA, Nolan Hohenstein of Lakefield, 2 sisters; Norma McDermott of New Richmond, WI, Hazel Aase of Eugene, OR, several nieces & Nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Alta, daughter & son-in-law Betty Ann & Robert Hedstrom and his parents Ole & Celia Larson. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, March 10, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, March 11, 2017 Zion Lutheran Church- Lewisville 118 East Martin Street Lewisville, Minnesota, United States 56060 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, March 11, 2017 Zion Lutheran Church- Lewisville 118 East Martin Street Lewisville, Minnesota, United States 56060 Interment Information Zion Lutheran Cemetery- Lewisville Address not given Lewisville, Minnesota, United States 56060 Military honors provided by the Lewisville American Legion Drill Squad. Fellowship Lunch will be served at the church following burial.