Lester Leroy Reckow

Lester LeRoy Reckow, age 90, of St. James, MN, died October 18, 2023, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel in St. James, MN, and one hour prior to the service on Friday, October 27, 2023 at First Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 27, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in St. James, MN. Private burial will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in rural Hector, MN at a later date. Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Lester was born August 9, 1933, to Otto and Thea (Hanson) Reckow in Hector, MN. He graduated from Hector High School in 1951. Lester served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. On June 22, 1957, he married Yvonne Eggert. Together they raised three children. In 1962 the family moved to St. James.

Lester was the owner and operator of Watonwan Implement for many years. He also farmed, retiring from both jobs in 2002.

Lester served as a Watonwan County Commissioner for fourteen years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for St. James Federal Savings and Loan, Watonwan County Library Board, St. James Lions Club, and served on the church councils of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hector and First Lutheran Church in St. James.

In his free time, Lester enjoyed fishing, wintering in Arizona with Vonnie, fixing and repairing equipment, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Lester is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vonnie; children, Kay Reckow of Alexandria, MN, Rick (Ann) Reckow of St. James, MN, and Jane (Dean) Blade of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren, Ben (Marissa) Reckow, Liz Reckow, David (Courtney) Nelson, Kyle Blade, and Kalley Blade; great grandchildren, Emersyn, Callahan, Ian, and Alayna; and sister, Irene (Paul) Erickson.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Thea; step-mother, Leona; and sister, Marlene (Orlo) Fluhrer.