LESTER TUNIS VOGELAAR, of Worthington, passed away peacefully at his home on January 15, 2018. He celebrated life for 94 years, 10 Months and 22 days. On March 24, 1923, Lester was born to Tunis and Cora (Van Duyn) Vogelaar at Orange City, IA. He attended country schools until the 8th grade at which time he stayed at home to help on the farm.

On May 10,1944, he married the love of his life – Gertrude Anna Verdoorn- leaving a month later for World War II to serve in the Navy. Les served on a LST (537) Navy Ship and returned home in 1946 – they made their home in Sheldon, Ia. There he had various jobs – worked at the Gas Station, Monument Shop, Carpentry & miscellaneous jobs.

They then moved to May City, Ia. and lived in a railroad box car. A few years later, he started with being a hired farm hand for Hans Ewald near May City, IA . and lived on Ewald’s farm.

In 1957, they moved to Sioux Valley, MN to start their own farm operation. He also ran a corn sheller, custom hay baling, sold seed corn, and sold farm equipment.

In 1967, they moved to a farm near Round Lake, MN. to continue farming until retiring to Worthington in 1985. He worked for the Worthington Monument Works and continued going to the farm until he was 89 years old. He loved the farm and enjoyed to work.

Les was a longtime member of the Round Lake American Legion Post #461 and was a past Commander. He served on the Round Lake School Board, served on the Round Lake Presbyterian Church board and assisted with building the church in the early 60’s.

Les and Gert enjoyed sharing many vacations together over the years. Les and Gert looked forward to traveling to the dirt track races for many years. Les was a voracious reader (averaging at least 5 books a week), an avid stationary bike rider (5,814 miles on his current bike), the Expert Ice Cream Maker, loved playing his records daily and looked forward to a monthly card party with friends and family and mowing his lawn was his summertime hobby.

Time with family was priceless. He enjoyed making tea for his family members that showed up every day. He valued taking care of his wife, and enjoyed time with his grandchildren. Les enjoyed reminiscing times by sharing his Navy stories.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Gertrude Vogelaar, Worthington; two children, LaVonne (Allen) Kruger, Worthington; and Gordon (Brenda) Vogelaar, Worthington; three grandchildren, Scot (Michelle) Dobson, Jessica (Creighton) Olcott and Lexy Vogelaar; one sister, Carol DeKam, Leota; and one sister-in-law, Lucille Vogelaar, Vadnais Heights.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Tunis and Cora; an infant son, Gregory, in 1957; a grandson, Eric Dobson, in 2003; two sisters, Ann Roth and Irene Vogelaar; two brothers, William and Donald Vogelaar; and two brothers- in-law, Richard Roth and Duane DeKam.

Funeral will be 11 am Friday at the Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Robert Bartlett. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. After the reception, burial will be in the Eastlawn Cemetery in Sheldon, IA.

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