LESCH, Byron B. 1913-2008

LESCH, POPHAM, ASHLEY

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 9/24/2008 at 10:36:09

Byron B. Lesch, age 95, died on April 18, 2008, and was cremated per his wishes. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 930 W. 4th St. in downtown Waterloo, Iowa, at 11 a.m.

Byron B. Lesch was born on September 9, 1913, in Mount Union, to Herman and Julia (Popham) Lesch, the third of four sons. He married Juliet Ashley on October 14, 1951, in Waseca, Minnesota. She preceded him in death on January 15, 1990.

Byron grew up in the Rockford, Iowa and Osage, Iowa areas. Music was a family affair in his life, with himself playing the flute and saxophone in various bands and orchestras in school and church. He also sang in many choirs and choruses. While farming was the main focus in his younger years, he and his brother Leroy also ran a trucking and corn-shelling business from 1932-1942.

In 1942, Byron was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Wales, England, Scotland and Norway until 1945. He served with the 863rd Ordinance Company in HAM Co. (Heavy Automotive Maintenance).

Five years after returning home, he moved to Waseca where he became a tool maker for the E.F. Johnson Co. Upon joining a local Congregational Church, he sang in the choir and met his future wife, Juliet.

In 1957, Byron and Juliet bought the Ashley Hotel in Jackson, Minn., and ran it for 11 years. There they joined the Presbyterian Church.

The year 1968 he opened a new chapter in their lives when Byron was asked to consider being an all-around maintenance man at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska. He accepted the job, becoming assistant engineer, and devoted the next 20 years to helping the college.

Upon his retirement and Juliet's death, he returned to Waterloo in 1993 to be near his only surviving brother, Donald, but continued his work in setting up mission funds for the church. His true passion in life was to help the less fortunate, whether by a helping hand, kind word or seed money for a new start.

Survivors include his brother, Donald Lesch of Waterloo, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers, Leroy and Roger.

[Original obituary posted on www.mcpress.com -- Mitchell County Press (Osage, Iowa), Sept. 24, 2008]