Lestina, Walter Joseph 1904-1996

LESTINA, SCHROEDER, MONTGOMERY, BLUMHAGEN, SUCKOW, KOTTMAN, SCHWEIKERT

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 7/17/2011 at 18:42:48

SOURCE: Postville, Iowa POSTVILLE HERALD, March 20, 1996
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

The Schmitz Funeral Home of Ossian, Iowa was in charge of the funeral arrangements for Walter Joseph Lestina, age 91 years, of Ossian, Iowa. Interment was at the Monona, Iowa City Cemetery.

Walt was born July 28, 1904 in rural Clayton County, Giard Township, McGregor, Iowa to Frank E. and Martha W. (Schroeder) Lestina. *Frank's middle name also might have been August* Walter died March 10, 1996 at Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian, Iowa, Military Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Walter was baptized in Monona, Iowa and was confirmed by the late Rev. Albert Daugs in the Lutheran faith on April 6, 1919 in the Evangelical Lutheran, St. Paul's Church in Monona, Iowa. He obtained his education at a country school for six years at Beulah, Iowa and the 7th and 8th grades in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family moved there at that time only to return to the family farm after World War I in 1919. Walter began working on the Milwaukee Railroad and continued working for the railroad for 43 years. Many of these years he was track foreman. He retired from the railroad in 1962.

On August 23, 1927, he was united in marriage to Arelene Agynetta Montgomery at Monona, Iowa by Rev. Daugs. They established their home in the Monona area, then moved to Bassett, Iowa and finally to Ossian, Iowa in February of 1939. As a young boy in Milwaukee, Walter was introduced to music and woodworking. He continued on with the music, learning to play the violin, write music, taught others to read music, and play instruments. Later in joined his two sisters in forming "Lestina's Serenaders", a dance band. He also played the piano accordian. Woodworking also continued to be an interest of his as a lifelong hobby. He was a 57 year member of the Ossian Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School Teacher and superintendent. He was the Ossian Cubmaster in the Scouts from 1959 to 1970. He received the Silver Beaver Award in 1969 for his many accomplishments as a neighborhood Scout commissioner and service to the scouting organization. Walter's interests also included C.B. radio where his handle was "Ground Cherry". He moved to the Ossian Hospice on January 20, 1987.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Arelene on May 27, 1975; a nephew, Ronald Blumhagen; a niece, Joanne (Blumhagen) Suckow.

Walter is survived by his two sisters, Hazel Blumhagen and Alice Kottman, both of Postville, Iowa; 2 nephews, Harland (LaVon) Kottman, Gary (Sharon) Kottman; a niece, Joanita (Blumhagen) and her husband, Dan Schweikert, all of Monona, Iowa; several great-nephews and great-nieces.