Born: March 16, 1914
Died: June 25, 2009
Services: Funeral services will be held at 6 pm on Monday, June 29, 2009 at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Theresa, with the Rev. Steven Bode officiating.
Visitation: A visitation will also be held on Monday, June 29th from 4 until 6 pm at the church.
Lester Beck, 95, of 319 Forest St., Theresa, WI passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI.
Funeral services will be held at 6 pm on Monday, June 29, 2009 at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Theresa, with the Rev. Steven Bode officiating. A visitation will also be held on Monday, June 29th from 4 until 6 pm at the church. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery, Theresa, with graveside military honors conducted by the Theresa American Legion Post #270.
Lester was born the son of Fred and Ella (Bonack) Beck on March 16, 1914 in Theresa. He was married to Marie Leichtle on July 30, 1972 in Theresa, WI. Lester was a 1932 graduate of Mayville High School and a graduate of the Institute of Mortuary Science. He joined his familys furniture store and funeral home, where he served the Theresa area for 65 years until his retirement in 1978.
Lester was a veteran of World War II, where he served with the 32nd Division in the Pacific Theater for 39 months-earning three battle stars and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. He was a lifetime member of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Theresa, serving as a member of the choir for 60 years. In 1935, he joined the Theresa Fire Department and served as fire chief for eight years. He was honored by the department on their 100th anniversary in 1995 by dedicating the Dodge County Tournament book to him. Lester was a director and in 1948, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Union Cemetery Association, a position he held for 35 years. He served on the Theresa Village Board for 20 years, and was village president for eight years. He was an ardent sportsman and was secretary and treasurer of the Theresa Rod and Gun Club for 30 years. Lester was a member of the Theresa Lions Club and was named outstanding citizen in 1982 for his community service. He was a bass singer in the Theresa B-4s male quartet which sang at many area functions from 1930 to 1960. Lester was a charter member of the Theresa Historical Society which was organized in 1956 and he was elected as curator, a position he still held. He helped move and restore the Solomon Juneau home in 1932. He wrote over a hundred stories of early Theresa history which can be read at the Theresa library.
Lester is survived by his four step-children: Carol (Robert) Bernhard of Theresa, Diane (David) Cragin of Theresa, Bonny (special friend Charlie Schmitt) Zuehlke of Theresa, and Leonard (Karen) Zuehlke of Littleton, CO; In-laws: Marcella Beck of Middleton, Mildred Leichtle of Horicon, Betty (Clarence) Steger of Mayville, Tom (Shirley) Leichtle of West Bend, and Anna Mae (Frank) Marrese of Lomira; six step-grandchildren: Scott (Cindy) Bernhard, Brenda (James) Alfaro, Bethel (Jason) Mucha, Austin Zuehlke, Marie Zuehlke, and Dennis (Diane) Schweiger; 11 step great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Beck in 2004 and his brother, Norman.
Koepsell Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolence may be made at www.koepsellfh.com
Church: St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church – Theresa (Map)
