Lestina, Walter Joseph -- 1904 - 1996

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

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 7/17/2011 at 22:04:32

SOURCE: Monona, Iowa MONONA BILLBOARD, March 20, 1996
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Schmitz Funeral Home of Ossian, Iowa was in charge of the funeral arrangements for Walter Joseph Lestina, age 91, of Ossian, Iowa who died March 10, 1996 at the Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian, Military Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Interment was at the Monona City Cemetery, Monona, Iowa.

Walt was born July 28, 1904 in rural Clayton County, Giard Township, McGregor, Iowa, the son of Frank August E. and Martha W. (Schroeder) Lestina. He 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 then 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 Arlene Agynette Montgomery at Monona, Iowa by Rev. Daugs. They established their home in the Monona area, 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 his interest in music, learning to play the violin, write music, teaching others to read music and play instruments, and later joined his two sisters in forming "Lestina's Serenaders", a dance band. He also played the piano accordian. Woodworking held his interest as a lifelong hobby for him. He was a 57 year member of Ossian Lutheran Church and served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He was the Ossian Cubmaster for 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 gardening, training a pet cat or dog, television and 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, Arlene on May 27, 1975; a nephew, Ronald Blumhagen and 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 and Gary (Sharon) Kottman; a niece, Joanita (Blumhagen) and her husband Dan Schweikert, all of Monona, Iowa; and several great nephews and great nieces.