Lessmeier, Lael (Bud) (1927-2016)

LESSMEIER, FRANZMEIER, KENNEDY, BARRAGAN, WEDLAKE, FINGER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/29/2016 at 15:13:41

Lael "Bud" Lessmeier
February 4, 1927 ~ October 23, 2016

Lael “Bud” LeRoy Lessmeier passed away peacefully on October 18, 2016, with his family at his side. Lael was preceded in death by his loving wife Frances, brother Frank, and his two sisters Donna and Mary.

Lael was born on February 4, 1927, to Fred and Ruth Lessmeier. He graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1945. Next, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, he met the love of his life, Frances Franzmeier, at the Cobblestone skating rink in 1948. They, subsequently, spent many long evenings at the Cobblestone Ballroom where both enjoyed dancing and mingling with friends.

Lael and Frances married on June 25, 1950, and almost immediately began building their home on Northwestern Drive in Storm Lake, a project they began with no building experience and little more than the belief that they could do it. In 1953, their first son, Jeff, was born. In the coming years, they added four more sons, Mike, Greg, Tim, and Russ. In 1960, Frances and Lael moved their family to an old farmhouse on an acreage west of the Storm Lake airport. They felt they could more adequately provide for their sons in the country. They all spent many happy years on that acreage.

Lael and Frances enjoyed antiquing and eventually added a room to the farm house for an antique Soda Fountain and snooker table. They had many wonderful experiences there doing what they loved most, spending time with family. They, for instance, shared many family celebrations in that room with Fran’s sister, Dorothy Kennedy, her husband, John, and their daughter, Susan. Indeed, Lael and Fran loved their niece as if she were their own daughter.

Wanting to spend as much time as he could with his sons, Lael taught them to hunt, fish, and enjoy what nature has to offer. He spent many mornings with one or more of his sons watching dawn break over a lake while fishing. In the fall, Lael could be found hunting with his boys at his sister’s farm in Sioux Rapids. Lael, Frances, and boys enjoyed many family vacations at Lake Belle Taine in Minnesota. In his later years, he loved to carve and make pens for his family and friends. He made sure that his sons learned the importance of honesty, integrity, and hard work.

Always quick to tell a story, Lael treasured the company of family, particularly of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Such a joy to be with, he, always, had a twinkle in his eyes almost to the very end. All in all, he possessed a unique combination of wisdom, strength, and gentleness. He gave us so much, and he will always be in our hearts.

Lael was a member of the United Methodist Church of Storm Lake. He was also a member of the Oddfellows and Rebecca Lodge.

Survivors include his children, Jeff, of Storm Lake, Mike (wife, Sherrill), of Ashland, Oregon, Greg (wife, Deb), of Kalispell, Montana, Tim (wife, Susan), of Spokane, Washington, and Russ (wife, Shallee), of St. Louis, Missouri; ten grandchildren: Eberley (Wedlake) Barragan; Aryn (Lessmeier) Finger; Ashley, Jason, Katie, Kelli, Kyle, Matt, and Stephanie Lessmeier; and Elena Wedlake; and four great grandchildren.

Dad, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Lael’s family thanks all who have given their support and particularly those who cared for him over the last several months, including those at the Methodist Manor and Unity Point Hospice. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, any contributions be made to Unity Point Hospice.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with an Odd Fellows service at 6:45 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is overseeing the arrangements.

Copyright © 2016, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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