Lester Yost, age 82, formerly of Pine City, Minn., passed away peacefully at the Cambridge Health Care Center in Cambridge, Minn. on July 4, 2006.

Lester was born March 25, 1924 in Pine City to Alfred and Olga (Meyer) Yost. Lester was the fifth of their six children.

He served with the United States Army during World War II, joining in March of 1943. After a year of medic training in Kansas, he was sent to France where he drove ambulance and supply convoys through France, Belgium, and into Germany. He received his honorable discharge from the military at Fort Bliss, Texas in May of 1946.

Lester was united in marriage to the former Darlene Thomsen in 1947.

For many years Lester worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator in his brotherís sand, gravel, and ready mix business, Yost Brothers. After the company was sold and Lester retired. He was hired back as a senior employee and continued to go to work everyday until progressing ill health prevented him from doing so. He had a passion for his work and always dreamed of regaining his health and being able to drive truck once again.

Lester cherished his family
and felt a deep sense of peace and pride when they were together. He often told his immediate and extended family how proud he was of them and how much he cared for them.

Those who knew Lester were often struck by his unwavering character traits of loyalty, respect, integrity, honesty, and unconditional love. He unintentionally taught those around him to appreciate the simple things in life, to cherish the children, respect the elderly, to live up to their responsibilities, and to find joy and laughter in unexpected places.

Lester is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Clark Yost and his fiancÈe, Kathryn Elstad, of Robbinsdale, Minn.; daughters: Cleo Johnson and her husband, Jeff, of Wyoming, Minn., Carol Hall and her husband, Earl, of North Branch, Minn., and Cindy Yost and her fiancÈ, Kevin Price, of Maple Grove, Minn.; grandchildren: Melissa (Peter) Anderson, Jason Elstad, August Schwerdfegger, Douglas (Nicci) Johnson, and Liza Hall, great-grandchildren: Charlie Anderson, Max Anderson, and Dane Hall; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Olga Yost, beloved grandson Phillip Hall, his sister Eleanor Cooper, and his brothers Harold, Edward, Herbert and Clarence Yost.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City with the Reverend Vicki VanderVegt officiating. Organist was Glenna Reierson and soloist was Jennifer Hansmann. Casket bearers were Bill Yost, Jerry Yost, Don Olson, Kevin Price, Earl Hall, and Jeff Johnson. Military rites
were presented by the Heath-Perkins American Legion Post No. 51 and the Novak-Millerin VFW Post No. 4258.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service, Swanson Chapel, Pine City, Minn.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com