Lester Nordhagen, 86, died on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Wednesday at the church.

Lester Robert Nordhagen was born on June 20, 1924 in Rosewood, MN to Olaf and Anna (Hemstad) Nordhagen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended country school near Rosewood.

Lester was united in marriage to the love of his life, Dorothy Doris Srnsky on May 29, 1948 in Grand Forks, ND. They made their home in Grand Forks for a few short months and then moved to Thief River Falls where they raised their family. Lester worked for the Soo Line Railroad for a short time. He then went to work with his brother-in-law hauling garbage, before starting his own company, Less Sanitation, on July 1, 1951. He worked hard his entire life. In October of 1986, he retired, but continued working part-time with his son Beaver until 2009. He enjoyed helping out where ever he could.

Lester and Dorothy were avid dancers. They could often be seen lighting up the dance floor at the VFW on Friday night and the Eagles on Saturday night. Lester enjoyed working in the yard, playing golf with his sons, watching some of his grandkids play hockey, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He and Dorothy liked to travel. In the evenings, Lester liked to read or watch television. He always enjoyed a good Western. Lester had a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh. He was very loved and respected by his entire family, and will be missed very much.

Lester was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Eagles Club of Thief River Falls.

Lester is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy, Thief River Falls, MN; 5 children, Les (Cindy) Nordhagen, Greeley, CO; Bruce (Nora) Nordhagen, Miami Beach, FL, Richard (Mary) Nordhagen, Thief River Falls, MN, Steve Beaver (Denise) Nordhagen, Thief River Falls, MN, Shirley (Mike) Cullen, Goodridge, MN; 8 grandchildren, David (Joan) Nordhagen, Eric (Shannon) Nordhagen, Jaimie (Jeremy) Bell, Chad (Megan) Nordhagen, Lindsey Nordhagen, Matt Nordhagen, Anna Nordhagen, Maria Nordhagen; 7 great grandchildren: Dylan, Jillian, MaKayla, Lucas, Kylee, Jada and Claire; 2 sisters, Millie Fynskov and Lillian Rux, and 1 brother, George (Vivian) Nordhagen; and several nieces and nephews.

Lester was preceded in death by a son David, an infant son, his parents, granddaughter, Stephanie, 1 sister, Sylvia, and brothers, Roy and Oren.