Obituary of Lester Woltersdorf

Memorial Tribute Lester was born on March 23, 1914, on a farm in Lincoln Township, O’Brien County, IA to Walter and Adelia (Wills) Woltersdorf. As a child, Lester attended country school in O’Brien County. He graduated in 1931 from Moneta High School. On January 10, 1936, Lester married Katherine Elizabeth Miller near Fulda, MN. They were blessed with two daughters: Colleen and Darcy. In the early years of their marriage they lived and worked on many farms near Hartley, Plessis, Sanborn, and Everly. They moved to the Melvin area in 1946. In 1948, Lester and Katherine settled on the Crumb farm near Melvin, IA, where they rented for 46 years. Lester farmed and raised sheep, hogs and cattle. He did custom swathing, bailing, and established a livestock ordering business. In 1954, Lester bought his first livestock truck. Lester’s career as a livestock buyer took him to sale barns and farms across Northwest Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. His buying number at the sale barn was #44. Many of his customers and sale barn companions became lifelong friends. Over a 39-year period, he owned many Ford trucks until his retirement in 1993, when he and Katherine moved to Sibley, IA. In 2005, Lester and Katherine moved to Country View Manor in Sibley, IA. Lester had a love for polka music, crossword puzzles, joke telling, candy, and especially his grandchildren. Some of his favorite activities included playing cards, drinking coffee, handing out Lifesaver candies, giving rides in his truck, and gathering with friends and family members. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Melvin, IA. In January 2007, Lester and Katherine celebrated 71 years of marriage. Survivors include Lester’s wife Katherine; daughter Colleen Griese of Round Lake, MN; daughter and son-in-law Darcy and Jeff Schultz of Melvin, IA; 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild ; sister Opal Mae Jessen of Everly, IA; brother Lloyd Woltersdorf of Milford, IA; sisters-in-law Eunice DeBoom of Fulda, MN, Betty Kaiser of Breezy Heights, IA, and Virginia Heikens of Spencer, IA; brother-in-law James Streufert Sr. of Milford, IA; and many family members and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Darlene Behrens, son-in-law Carl Griese, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In Remembrance of Lester W. Woltersdorf Born ~ March 23, 1914 Died ~ October 26, 2007 Age ~ 93 years 7 months 3 days Funeral Service 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Melvin United Methodist Church Melvin, Iowa A family prayer service will be held at 12:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Officiating ~ Rev. Tom Connors Organist ~ Jennifer Krummen Pianist ~ Lia Schultz Duet ~ Jeff and Ty Schultz Singing ~ "Amazing Grace" Processional ~ "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" "How Great Thou Art" "Work, For the Night is Coming" Recessional ~ "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" Pallbearers Mark Wynja Dennis Hoffman Jeff Monster Lyle Muilenburg Delbert Schultz Don Thies Honorary Pallbearers Ron Schultz Andy Haarsma Weber Koester Dick Friedrichsen Harold Schmidt Daryl Thies Ushers Steve Wachtel Daryl Daggett Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa