Lester Folwell

Lester Dale Folwell, 88, of Des Moines, passed away peacefully at home, with his daughter at his side, Saturday, March 15, 2008. The visitation will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St. The funeral service is at 12:00 noon Friday, March 21, at the funeral home, with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery on South Fleur in Des Moines.
Les was born in Des Moines to Frank and Leila Folwell on October 25, 1919. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938, attended Creighton College for a year before entering the Army Air Corps in April 1944. After completing basic training and flying school, he shipped to Europe in the 394th Bomb Group, 584th Squadron, as a B-26 Marauder co-pilot. Shot down over Germany on December 23, 1944, he was a P.O.W. for 3-1/2 months, until he escaped with one other prisoner, and they made their way to Allied troops.

After active duty ended in 1947, he continued in the Air Force Reserves in Iowa until October1979, when he retired as a Colonel.
He married Dorothy M. Abbott on November 27, 1941 and had one daughter, Sheryl Lynn in 1953. He was a co-owner of an automotive store, MDM Auto Parts for several years, then worked for David Mattson Co. and retired in 1996 from Big A Auto Parts.
Les was very active in the community, including Lincoln High Alumni Assoc., the D.A.V., Isaack Walton, the V.F.W., P.O.W. groups, and volunteered at the V.A. hospital, and several other organizations.
Les is survived by his daughter, Sheryl, a nephew, Ronald Folwell of Chehalis, Washington, and a niece Donna Jowers of Gig Harbor, Washington. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald in 1968 and wife Dorothy in 2001.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a veteran memorial in Les’ honor.

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