Lester Joel HILL

HILL, JOHNSON, BATES, ANDERSON, ERICKSON, SEMLER, ISAACSON, FORT, SMITH, LALOR, HARRINGTON, SEVERIN, STOCK, JACOBSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/11/2010 at 15:33:53

May 7, 1918 - June 24, 2010

Lester J. Hill, age 92, of Red Oak, Iowa passed away Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the Red Oak Rehab and Care Center. Lester Joel Hill was born May 7, 1918 in rural Stanton, Iowa the son of Joel Jacob and Alma (Johnson) Hill. He attended country school growing up and started working on a harvesting crew before being drafted in the Army during World War II. He was united in marriage to Betty Bates on February 1, 1945 in Stanton, Iowa. Lester started farming with Henry Bates and eventually bought his own farm. He and Betty farmed until 1974 when they moved into Red Oak. Lester was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. Lester truly loved the farm and enjoyed raising cattle. He was an avid bowler, a baseball and softball enthusiast, and enjoyed playing golf. Lester’s children would characterize him as a man with values of honesty and integrity.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Helen Hill, Mildred Anderson, Fern Erickson, Mae Johnson, Dorothy Semler, and Emma Isaacson. Survivors include his wife: Betty Hill of Red Oak, Iowa; children: Gordon Hill and wife Becky of Red Oak, Iowa; Larry Hill and wife Peggy of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and Kelly Fort and husband Jeff of Stanton, Iowa; grandchildren: Charlotte Smith and husband Kenneth of Shenandoah, Iowa; Aaron Hill and wife Paula of Red Oak, Iowa; Drew Hill and wife Mel of Ankeny, Iowa; Jason Hill of Show Low, Arizona; Sally Lalor and husband Gary of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Josh Harrington and wife Jen of Pella, Iowa; Amber Severin and husband Chad of Waukee, Iowa; Justin Fort of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Jacob Fort and wife Whitney of Columbia, Missouri; Jenni Stock and husband Nick of Laurie, Missouri; and Jordan Fort of Stanton, Iowa; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; sister: Marcella Jacobson of Red Oak, Iowa; brother-in-law: James Semler of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law: Elsie Bates of Griswold, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM Sunday, June 27, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Fred Pilecki officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery at 10 AM on Monday, June 28, 2010. A memorial fund is being established in Lester’s name. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

http://www.nblfuneralchapel.com/memorial.asp?mem_id=895