Lester York
Lester was born June 3, 1935 in Monroe Center, the son of Irwin Walter York and Jessie Marie York.
Lester graduated from A-F High School, 1950 -1954. Lester was voted class president, student council president and attended Badger Boys State. He participated in track and football.
On December 1, 1954, Lester enlisted in the army during the Korean conflict. He was first division and deployed to Germany as an SP4 Cook. He returned to the states and went into Special Diets at Fort Riley, KS. He played softball and baseball while in the army. Lester was honorably discharged on November 30, 1956.
Lester married Bessie J. Pavlicek on June 15, 1957. She passed away April 8, 1964. He then married Alice M. Nielsen on September 11, 1965.
Lester was employed at Port Edwards Paper Mill from 1957 to January 1, 1991, when he retired as supervisor of Paper Machines.
Lester was a charter member and first president of Monroe Center Winter Pals Snowmobile Club and acted as Director of the Arkdale Mutual Fire Insurance. He was also a charter member of the Arkdale Lions and played on the Monroe Center Baseball Team and the All Star Team. He was Director of the Spring Creek Union Church Society for over fifty years.
Lester farmed up to 400 acres with cattle, soybeans, corn, and hay. He took great joy in caring for his land and fishing in his ponds. Lester was known for being hardworking, and loving every moment of it. Lester enjoyed spending his winters in Arizona with his wife and friends.
Lester is survived by his wife, Alice York; son, Kenneth (Faith) York; sister, Marion (Keith) Ebsen; sisters-in-law, Mary York, Viola York, Rose Klaver, Evelyn Roberts, Nancy (Jim) Gilbert; granddaughters, Angie (Eric) Duwe, Alyssa York and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents (Irwin and Jessie), wife (Bessie) and son (Edward); brothers (Clarence, Chester); sisters (Clara, Eleanor, Doris, Cleo in infancy); sisters-in-law, Mary Sindelar, Millie Barnette; brothers-in-law; Charlie Pavlicek, Frank Pavlicek, Harold Waller, Ernest Greene, Norman Pedersen, Wayne Oleson.
A celebration of Lester’s life will be held by his family on Monday, September 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Visitation is Sunday, September 6, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home. Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Deepest sympathy and God will help all of you through this difficult time.
To the York Family, So sorry to hear about the loss of Lester. He always had a smile and a wave for us when we would see him drive his tractor past our house.
Our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time. Lester was a former classmate and in recent years ,a close friend, travelling partner and we shared several winters in Arizona. He is going to be deeply missed by us.
We will miss Lester’s warm smile and great personality. May you find peace and comfort through family and friends during this most difficult time.
Alice and Kenney and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Lester’s passing he was always a good old friend since childhood. His father Erwin and my Sister Doris had birthdays on November 11th and in the old days our families changed off each getting together and having a meal of fresh oyster stew. That is just one of the many memories we have of him. Lester was also a distant cousin of mine on his grandma York and my great grandfather Rufus Roberts side of the family. You have our deepest condolences.
So sorry to the York family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Alice and family
Our hearts go out to you and family. Lester gave us wonderful wonderful memories and we thank him for that. May God be with you Alice, I am very very sorry I can’t give you a big hug in person. Will keep in touch!! Lots and Lots of Love from Jim and I.
My thoughts and Heart are with at this time. Know what you are going through. Maybe Vern and Lester are together up there telling stories to each other. they always had A lot to say when we were together. Enjoyed our trips together and all the fun things we did together.
Our prayers go out to you ,Lester was a very fine and kind man.He had such a wonderful smile and Rod appreciated his kindness and friendship.God Bless
We are so sorry for your loss of a wonderful man. Our deepest sympathy to all.
To Alice, Ken and Family,
Lester has always had a piece of my heart. His smile and enjoyment of life was contagious. He was not afraid to try things. I remember way back when he built the ponds and put in the trees, the neighborhood was not so sure of what he was doing. They have been and continue to be enjoyed by so many. Just recently the twinkle in his eyes was so fun when he was talking about picking up his new red Ranger and making sure the paths were clear so he could drive through the land he loved. He and Alice were always a team. I’m so sorry for the loss he will be to your family and all those who loved him. May your memories and the knowledge he is smiling, moving easier and having fun with those he has missed for so long bring you peace. He is a man who embodied love for God and loving his neighbor as himself. A true gentle man.
Love you, Toni
Aunt Alice, Kenny, and family, I’m so so sorry to hear about Uncle Lester. I remember all the jokes we made about the brownies we did or didn’t make for him. He will be sadly missed by all.
Aunt Alice & Ken & family I can only remember good times going back so many years. All the guys are together now watching over us.
Sincere condolences to Alice, Ken and family. Your faith and all your memories will sustain you.
My condolences for your loss. I worked with Lester on a forest management plan a few years ago. I remember Lester as an intelligent and friendly. He struck me as a happy worker. I enjoyed knowing him and my short time working with him.
lester has been a great friend for many years, and is sadly missed by Lorraine and I. We have many fond memories of our time together.
Aunt Alice, Ken, and family,
I feel there are so many things I want to say, but I can not put the words together. I wish I would have spent more time with Uncle Lester In the later years, it seems everyone go’s full circle. I am so happy he had such an enjoyable life; he deserved every smile that
he so generously gave out. I am so sorry to see him go, but I know he is back with the brothers and sisters, Uncle Lester reminded me of my Dad in the sense that whatever he said or did he was always giving in a generous way. He was a man of his Word, and that was the way it “WAS”. We lost a great person. He was loved by all.
Alice and Ken,
What a great man Lester was. His smile was contagious. I loved coming over and fishing in the ponds, I was guaranteed a lunker! The dune buggy…..now that was fun as well……so many memories growing up with the “Lions Club” families. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. You have my deepest sympathies.
My memories are many when it comes to time spent with the family…Canada and snowmobiling and Arkdale…many more. We all loved Lester so very much. He had a kindness that I wish all could have instilled in them. He will be missed by everyone he came into contact with. Hugs to Alice and Kenny. Prayers to the whole family.
We were privileged to have known Lester during our high school years and considered him a good friend. It was always good to see him at class reunions and reminisce. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Alice and Ken. May you find strength in our Lord at this difficult time.
Aunt Alice and Ken, Sorry for your loss. He was a very good man and I have lots of fond memories. May he rest in peace
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I have many childhood memories that include your family.
Our prayers are with you. Lester was a great man and will be missed. Hugs to you! Steve , Danna & family.
Alice and Ken. Our hearts go out to you. I remember Lesters infectious smile and sweet spirit. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you.
Keeping your family in my prayers. Lester was always happy and smiling, that says a lot about a man. Thinking of you.
my deepest sympathy goes out to the York family, he will be missed by all who knew him
Aunt Alice and Ken, our deepest sympathies. A fond memory is securing passes for Uncle Lester and Aunt Alice to see a shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center. We were all out there waiting for a launch during the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, the launch was scrubbed shortly before takeoff. I will never forget the awe and anticipation all of us felt.
Lester and I were the last 2 0f 8 children of Irwin and Jessie York. Even though we lived far apart, we were real close. We would tease each other about who would outlive the other. His favorite saying was “Let’s take it a day at a time”. I miss and love my family very much.
Marion (York) and Keith Ebsen
Brooksville, FL
I am sorry for your loss, Lester will be missed.
So sorry for your loss! He is now in our Savior’s’ loving hands!
Alice and Ken, I am so happy to have known Lester my whole life. What a wonderful man. We will miss him greatly.
Dear Alice, Im so sorry to hear about Lester. He was a great person. I remember him coming to the house and asking me to work for you both at Monroe Center store. Those were some good times I really enjoyed. I remember us having fried wieners and toast for
breakfast. Im sorry now I moved to Port because I lost touch with a lot of people. You are in my prayers Alice.
To the York family, my deepest sympathy and thoughts are with you. Lester was a great man loved his smile. May peace be with you all.
Aunt Alice, Ken & Family , We are so sorry sorry for your loss. Uncle Lester, was so much fun to talk with, he always had a lot of useful information. He love working on all his projects, if it was tearing things apart, or putting them back together. He has one, that would not slow down, for much. He is in wonderful company now. And I am sure, if the Lord needs something done, Uncle Lester will be doing it.
Lester was a wonderful man, great role model, hard worker. He was so proud of his family. We are so sorry on your loss. MAY God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time.
Alice, sorry for your loss…you are in my prayers.
Alice, Ken, and Family,
My deepest sympathies to you. Lester was always such a kind man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ken and Alice, our sympathies are extended to you and your family. Lester was a wonderful man.
A great loss of a fine man. I always remember one of our Bowling banquets- to break the ice & get the party going, Lester and Chester got up and danced– and could they dance.
Dear Alice, Kenny & Family,
Lester was such a nice and kind man, Eldon and I so enjoyed visiting with him at any of the Arkdale functions. He so loved to talk to us about farming and how the corn and beans were growing. May the Lord grant you his peace at this very sad time but know you will see each other again.
My condolences to the families of Lester Fred York.