Lester Kolstrand, 85, died on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 5, 2005 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Reverend Bob Dahlen officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 4, 2005 at Johnson Funeral service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 5:00 P.M. prayer service on Sunday evening and at the church for one hour prior to services on Monday.

Lester Berdeen Kolstrand was born on July 1, 1920 on the Family Farm in Star Township, Pennington County, MN, the son of Peter and Nettie (Sanner) Kolstrand. He was baptized into the Christian Faith on November 21, 1920 at Ekelund Lutheran Church by Reverend G. A. Hanson. He attended Fairview District 56 School and has lived his entire life in the Goodridge area.

Lester farmed and milked cows through most of his adult life. He was an avid trapper in early years and enjoyed hunting and feeding the birds. Lester had an obsession with bears and wildlife. He ran a sawmill and cut rough lumber for many of the neighbors.

In his later years Lester enjoyed gardening and sharing the produce with his family and friends and the animals. He was a very independent man and always was willing to help family and friends when in need. Lester loved to dance.

He was a member of Ekelund Lutheran Church and a past member of the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls.

Lester is survived by nieces ands nephews: Alvina (Henry) Hermonson of Goodridge, MN, Lora Nyland of Goodridge, MN, Fern (Eldon) Groven of Elk River, MN, Arlene (Lloyd) Tanem of Goodridge, MN, Delores Hefel of Dubuque, Iowa, Gilda (Larry) Kotrba of Goodridge, MN, Lori (Vance) Wiseth of Goodridge, MN, Lorraine (Ernest) Mostrom of Goodridge, MN, Irene (Clyde) Bendickson of and Justin Hanson of Minneapolis, MN; and many great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters: Jesse Hanson born 1901, Melvin Kolstrand born 1903, Gladys Hanson born 1904, Hazel Hanson born, 1906, Pearl Kolstrand born 1908, Ruby Kolstrand born 1908, Ramona Kolstrand born 1910, Bora Casavan born 1912, Ruby Kolstrand born 1913, Reuben Kolstrand born 1913, Clifford Kolstrand born 1914, Mae Manderud born 1916, Opal Kolstrand born 1918 and Lester was born in 1920.

ORGANIST: Tanya Kotrba
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace The Old Rugged Cross and Beautiful Savior How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: Henry Hermanson, Rodney Hoffman, Paul Odette, Jeff Bakken, Sam Hermanson, Tim Hruby, Joe Hruby Marvin Bakken and Ernest Mostrom
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Dr. Sanjay Patel, Dr. Brett Vibeto, Nursing Staff at Northwest Medical Center and staff at CNC1.