Lester Cornell

Lester Cornell of Lowell, Wisconsin passed away on December 2, 2025, peacefully at Marshfield Remembrance Home in Beaver Dam Wisconsin.

Lester was born in Laona, Wisconsin on May 9, 1934, to Leroy and Leona Cornell. Lester worked as a Tool & Die maker for over 50 years and loved his craft. Lester graduated from Delavan High school where he played as fullback for the Red Devils football team. He then attended Allis Chalmers 4-year apprentice program as a Tool & Die Machinist.

Les’s passion was to spend time outdoors, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and boating. He was a great pool player.  He was an amazing craftsman with metal, reading blueprints, designing any tool or part for anyone in need. Les and Lois loved to travel, taking road trips on their motorcycle or 4 wheeler throughout Wisconsin, visiting family in California, going to Hawaii or a  cruise with friends. He was an avid Packers fan who enjoyed watching the games.  Les and Lois were great dance partners and enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. They cherished their many years spent up at the lake with their close friends, socializing on their deck and attending Country Western Festivals in their RV. When home, you could find Les in his “shop” and anyone was welcome to pop in, share a beer, tell a joke and talk for hours. Whenever Les and Lois were out and about, they were seen holding hands.

Les and Lois shared their life together for over 43 years and married on June 6, 1992. Les is survived by his blended family of children Jeff (Julie) Cornell, Lezlie Cornell, Cheryl (Bill) Cornell, Kevin Cornell, Dawn (John)Lunde, Jill (Steve) Wegner. Grandchildren, Raven(Renee) Mondragon,  Jennifer Cornell,  Jessica and Kyle Lundsfords, Elijah and Ella Belle Marie Skromme, Jakob Cornell & Ryan Griffith, Stacy(Eric) Chermak, Tracy Baldus, Brian(Zia) Evans, Hope Evans, McKinsie(Todd) Johnson, Megan(Jim) Schraufnagel , Ryan Root, Chase Cranfield and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Special nephews’ Chet Peterson, Bruce Cornell; Daughter in-laws Amy and Joann Root, son in law Daniel Sumnicht and all the Sumnicht Family along with all his other special friends.

Les was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Leona Cornell; sisters: Lorraine, Innis, Patsy and Char; Brothers: Blacky, Richard, Donald, Jerry, Bob and Butch. Stepsons’ Greg and Craig Root, Stepdaughter Lori Snyder.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Inurnment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all his amazing caregivers at Marshfield Remembrance Home, whose love and support made his last 3 years filled with joy and happiness and now have become our new extended family. The family would also like to thank Dr. Seth Barudin and Hillside Hospice for all their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charitable organization or helping someone in need.

Goodbyes are not forever, they are not the end, it simply means we will miss you, until we meet again. Your memory will live on in our hearts forever.  Now when you think of Les, he and Lois, are  holding hands in heaven.