Lester E. Zubke

LESTER ERICH ERWIN ZUBKE was born to Hugo and Emma (Neckels) Zubke on March 24, 1921 in Waubay, South Dakota. He was raised in town where he attended school and graduated from Waubay High School in 1939. Following his education he worked at Lampert Lumber Company. At the age of 21, Les enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a radio operator from 1942 until his honorary discharge in December of 1945. On December 31, 1945 Les was united in marriage to Ann Odde in Waubay where the couple made their home. Les went back to work in 1948 for the Lampert Lumber Company in Waubay, Rapid City and Bell Fourche, South Dakota. In 1952, they moved to Luverne, Minnesota where Les managed Lampert Lumber Company from 1952 until 1982, when he then retired from the business. He went to work part-time for the city of Luverne as a building inspector from 1983 to 1993. Ann preceded him in death on January 28, 2001. Les continued to reside in their home until October 2009, when he became a resident of the Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. In March of 2010 he became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. On Sunday, March 3, 2013, Les died peacefully at the Minnesota Veterans Home at the age of 91 years, 11 months, and nine days.

Les was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was a member of Luverne Rotary and a lifetime member of the Luverne VFW. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, woodworking, playing bingo, bird watching and keeping those bird feeders full. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, taking trips to the casino, and especially loved spending time with his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Patti Overgaard (special friend, Frank Mongold) of Luverne; son-in-law, Bruce Umbreit of Luverne; four grandchildren, Sarah Schoeneman, Craig Overgaard (special friend, Lacy Sik), Jeff Umbreit and Greg (Else) Umbreit; nine great-grandchildren, Dalton, Aleck, Colin, and Chloe Schoeneman, Priscilla and Braydan Overgaard, Lucia and Hugo Umbreit, and Bree Umbreit; and a sister, Doris Schmidt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; daughter, Barb Umbreit; parents; and brother, William Zubke.

Memorials are preferred to the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.