Lester Strohschein of Howard Lake passed away at St. Mary’s Care center of Winsted on February 18, 2019.
Funeral Service: 2 PM Friday, February 22, 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation: 4-8 PM Thursday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake and 1 hr. prior to service at church on Friday
Interment: Howard Lake Cemetery
Lester Fred Charley Strohschein, age 92, died peacefully surrounded by family on February 18, 2019, at the St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, MN. Lester was born on September 2, 1926, in Lydia (Scott County) MN to Arthur H. and Martha (Rotsolk) Strohschein.
Along with his twin brother Lawrence Strohschein, he was baptized at Immanual Lutheran Church, Fish Lake, MN in 1926 and was confirmed in his faith on March 17, 1940 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Watertown, MN.
Lester entered the Navy on August 31, 1944, and was honorably discharged on July 21, 1946. Following this, he attended Dunwoody Institute in the cabinetry program. Lester worked for ABC Cabinetry and also for Goebel Fixture Company in Hutchinson, MN for 35 years, retiring on March 22, 1989. Lester also made many kitchen cabinets for local people in the Howard Lake area.
Lester married Darlene Rannow on September 16, 1951. Their marriage of 68 years was blessed with two children, Denton and Jody.
Lester enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Camping, deer hunting, and taking his young grandsons fishing were a great joy for him. Every year for Christmas he brought a “new toy” made of wood—not just three, but a total of six. Playing cards was always a highlight—you never knew who would be cheating the most. He also filled his time with jigsaw puzzles and craft sales. He and Darlene also spent a few months in Arizona in the winter to get away from the cold.
Lester was a member of and served as an Elder at St. James Lutheran Church. A carpenter by trade, he helped with many projects in and around the church building—including the communion rails, pledge card box, the guest book podium, and the sign in front of the church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Martha Strohschein; brothers-in-law Jim Ryan, Myrle Wagner, and Earl Wagner; and niece Pam Strohschein.
Lester is survived by his wife, Darlene; children Denton (Janice) and Jody; twin brother Lawrence (Gladys); sister Mildred (Jim) Ryan; sisters-in-law Arlene (Earl) Wagner and Hildegard (Myrle) Wagner; three grandsons, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.