Lester Fleming

Lester C. Fleming, 96, of Ankeny, Iowa, laid down the working tools of life on Oct. 18, 2020. Les was born on Oct. 22, 1923 near Runnells, Iowa to Edward and Dora (Rojohn) Fleming, the youngest of 11 children.

He graduated from Runnells High School and Capital City Commercial College before working on the AlCan Highway Project in 1942. Les served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a cryptographic technician in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from Iowa State College with a B.S. degree in Forestry. He was employed for 34 years by the State Conservation Commission, retiring in 1986.

Les married Phyllis McClelland in 1943 and six children were born to this union. Phyllis passed in 1982 and he married Anna (Blazek) Morris in 1983.

He was a member of the American Legion and was a 60+ year member of the Masonic Fraternity and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1999-2000. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Les enjoyed travel and visited 49 states, New Zealand, French Polynesia, the West Indies and all continents except Antarctica. He also enjoyed nature, particularly wildlife, and made two visits to East Africa on safari.

Les was preceded in death by his parents, 10 siblings, an infant son Roger and his wives, Phyllis and Anna. He is survived by his children Teresa Apple (Richard Zabell) of Corrales, N.M., Frances (Victor) Konecny of Port St. Lucie, Fl., Steven (Susan) Fleming of Des Moines, Ia., Susan Harpe of Fairfax, Va. and Jeffrey (Megan) Fleming of Albuquerque, N.M., six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Given the current Covid-19 health crisis, and with respect to all who knew Les, the family will not host a visitation and funeral service. A celebration of life event will be held at a later date. Given Les’ background in Forestry, the family is asking for any donations be provided to the Iowa Arboretum to help with their Derecho damage.
https://iowaarboretum.org/storm-relief-donation/

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Kathleen Humble

10/26/2020

Condolences to the family of Les Fleming. My mom was the Grand Chaplain in Leona Paschal's Grand Family, so I met Les and knew of him through my parents, Bob and June Pedrick of Douds. I remember him as an outgoing, classy person.

Brian Thompson

10/21/2020

I am so sorry to here about the passing of brother les whom i had the pleasure of meeting at a previous grand lodge event in the past , my thoughts and prayers and condolences to all the family and friend's at this time may the lord continue to comfort you and guide you through this sad time..🙏❤

Wade Sheeler

10/20/2020

I am so sorry to hear of Les' passing. He was a wonderful man. I enjoyed the many times that I had the pleasure to visit with him at various Masonic gatherings. Rest well my friend. You will be missed.