Lester Lee
October 15, 2008
Lester Mervin Lee, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Valley View Village in Des Moines, IA. Lester was born in Jefferson, IA on October 14, 1919 to James Arthur Lee and Mary Edna (Bates) Lee. He grew up in Des Moines and attended East High School. He worked for Western Union delivering telegrams on bicycles before entering the U.S. Army in 1941. Les served in the 133rd Inf. and saw action in Anzio and North Africa. He was discharged in 1946 after being wounded.
In civilian life Lester worked for Northland Dairy, Johnson-Nepstad Food Service, Wyckoff-Horn Heating and Taylor Industries. He was a member of the Plumbers & Steamfitters Union Local #33, American Legion Post #374, Elks Lodge #98, Pioneer Masonic Lodge and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.
Lester is survived by his children Richard (Deborah) Lee of Ontario, CA, Nancy (Wayne) Wirtjes of Pleasant Hill and Dr. Ronald (Sheryl) Lee of Burlington, IA. His grandchildren include Ryan Lee and Kelsi Lee of CA, Deborah (Gary) Crowder of Pleasant Hill, RD Lee II, Dillon Lee and Ross Lee of Burlington. His sister Elaine Lynn resides in Henderson, NV. Les was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary, his brothers Robert and Herbert Lee and his parents.
Lester was a kind-hearted, loving man who will be missed by those who had the honor of knowing him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1460.
Funeral services will be held 11am, Saturday, October 18th at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6-8pm Friday at the funeral home with a Masonic Service at 7:30pm.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com