Lester Louis Meier

BELDEN — Lester Louis Meier, 80, Belden, died July 12, 2018, at the Providence Medical Center, Wayne. Visitation was Monday at the United Methodist Church, Laurel, and one hour prior to services Tuesday. Funeral Services were July 17 at the United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Isaac Chua officiating. Burial was at the Belden Cemetery, Belden, with Military Rites by the Belden American Legion Post 149. Pallbearers were Wayne Denklau, Lee Baumert, Rich Roland, Kelvin Wurdeman, Andrew Wurdeman and Tyler Wurdeman. Honorary pallbearers were Lester’s grandchildren. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel. Lester Louis Meier was born Aug. 6, 1937, in Salem, Ore., to Louis and Edna (Oaks) Meier. He lived in Oregon for a short time and then moved back to Nebraska. He graduated from Hartington High School in 1951. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy from June 30, 1955-June 26, 1958 living on the U.S.S. Sarsfield DD-837 ship for three years. Lester married Julia “Judy” Fae Roland June 5, 1960, at the Methodist church in Laurel. They moved to Laurel, where Lester worked for Digger Well for four-five years and then worked for McLain Oil Company (owned by Bob and Mary McLain) as a mechanic for 45 years. After the station closed, Lester farmed with Gary Stapelman for a few years and then for Ron Stapelman before retiring. Lester was a member of the United Methodist church. He collected toy trucks and cars and loved putting puzzles together. He often would sit on his front porch to read his Westerns and watch the traffic go by. Lester is survived by his wife, Judy, who is a resident of Parkview Haven Nursing Home, Coleridge; a son, Bruce (Litzie) Meier, Belden; daughter, Vickie (Quico) Andrade, Norfolk; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Karen Meier, Wisner; son-in-law, Bob Hamilton, Randolph; one sister, Ida Thorndyke, Coleridge; and sister-in-law, Betty Meier, Norfolk. He was preceded in death by his parents; three children, infant daughter Diana Lynn; son Steve Meier; daughter, Cindy Hamilton; grandson, Drake Adrian Meier; brother-in-law, Norman Thorndyke; and brother, John Meier.