Lester Anton Anderson

Former long-time Blue Earth County Commissioner, Lester Anderson, age 92, died Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Mapleton Community Home.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Medo Lutheran Church with Pastor Laurie Stoeger officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home in Mapleton and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Medo Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Medo Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Lester was born on May 28, 1923 to Anton and Mary (Nelson) Anderson in Beauford, MN. During his youth he was active in 4-H and was proud to have had the Grand Champion barrow at the Jr. Livestock Show. With his prize money, he purchased his first piece of farm land. Lester graduated from Mapleton High School in 1940 and was valedictorian of his class. His plan to attend college was changed when his father died when Lester was 16, being his only son, he took over the family farm.

Lester married Shirley Miller on August 1, 1946 and they had five children. They enjoyed raising their family, card playing, fishing trips with life-long friends and traveling together around the world until Shirley’s health no longer permitted. Lester became her faithful caregiver for the last 15 years of her life.

During his 40 years as County Commissioner, Lester served as President of Minnesota County Commissioner’s and also President of the National Association of County Commissioner’s. During these years he met many of the US Presidents. He was instrumental in the development of the county road system and the Blue Earth County Library and Park systems. He also served on many other local, state, and national boards.

He was a long-time board member, supporter, and volunteer for Farm America in Waseca. He was recognized for this work by receiving the KEYC “Good People” Jefferson Award. Lester became a gardener in his retirement and was proud of the many pumpkins and gourds he harvested each fall. Many people were recipients of these and the produce from his gardens and apples from his trees.

Lester is survived by his five children, Linda (Joe) Daly of Le Sueur, Jola Walker of Mapleton, Jon Anderson of Mankato, Wanda (Mike) Thomas of Coloma, MI, and Peter (Becky) Anderson of Mundelein, IL; eight grandchildren, Patrick Daly of Waseca, Jen (Joel) Turensky of Peoria, AZ, Brenda (Matt) Stoltzman of Mapleton, Becky Batterton of Kenosha, WI, Stacy (Mike) Boyum of Barrington, IL, Brian (Jamie) Thomas of Kenosha, WI, Nathan (Amanda) Anderson of Wauconda, IL, and Tanner Anderson of Mundelein, IL; nine great-grandchildren, Ben, Sam, and Emme Turensky, Noah and Merrit Stoltzman, Haley and Aubrey Batterton, and Madison and Brody Boyum; sister-in-law, Lou (Bob) Lentz of Rochester; brother-in-law, Robert Miller of Mankato; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley in 2013; parents; sisters, Clara, Alice Peters, and Margaret Williams; infant grand-daughter, Stephanie Thomas; son-in-law, Dennis Walker; brothers-in-law, Lyle Miller, Gordon Miller, Ed Peters, and Warren Williams; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Miller and Rose Mary Miller.