 Lester Brown was born June 24, 1926 in Redwood Falls, Minn. to Peter and Martha (Mansfeldt) Brown. He attended rural school through the 7th grade riding his horse to school and then leaving it untied so it could find its way back home again. During his childhood years he did a lot of trapping and sold the pelts.
In 1944 Les graduated from Redwood Falls High School and that same year became a member of the United States Air Force. He served with the 13th Air Force during World War II and while stationed in the Philippines was part of an Independence Day air show for General Douglas MacArthur. Les was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sgt. November 16, 1946.
Lester married Gladys Coulter on July 3, 1948 and they were blessed with four children: Bradley, Peter, Debra, and Nancy.
Following his stint with the military Les attended classes at Hamline University and Dunwoody Institute in the Twin Cities. He then worked as a mechanic for International Harvester for 17 years and later was employed as a business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union; district 77 Local 737 retiring in 1984. A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Les will be missed very much by his family and friends.
Les is survived by Gladys; his wife of 60 years, his children: Brad & Sandi Brown of Princeton, Pete & Jeanette Brown of Mahtowa, Minn., Deb (Kim) Pearson of Sandstone, Nancy (Pete) Huckaby of Estacada, OR; grandchildren: Amy (Mark) Gaillard Brown, Christopher (Tesa) Brown, Chad (Tonya) Brown, Anthony (Lisa) Pearson, Adam (Kristine) Pearson, Daniel (Heather) Brown, and Michael Brown; nine great grandsons and four great granddaughters; sister: Dorothy Fagen and sister-in-law: Leona Brown both of Redwood Falls, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Martha Brown, grandchildren Cathy, Cheryl, Candi Brown, Aaron, Jeremiah Huckaby, sister Luella Kruger and his brothers Clifford and Vernon Brown.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City with the Reverend Laurie O’Shea officiating. Music will be provided by Dianne Kirchberg. Casket bearers will be Lester’s grandsons Christopher Brown, Anthony Pearson, Chad Brown, Adam Pearson, Daniel Brown, and Michael Brown. A military honors interment is planned for Friday morning in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City, Minn.
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