Lester Blanshan, 89

Lester James Blanshan, 89, died Monday, September 20, 2010 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

The middle child of 13, he was born April 29, 1921 to Victor and Stella (Pflughaupt) Blanshan in Bingham Lake. He received his schooling in Bingham Lake and at age 17, during the Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in Zumbrota. During World War II Lester was in the military police and served two and half years overseas. He was inducted into the Army in August of 1942 and honorably discharged November 1945.

On October 30, 1946 he married Bernice Stiegelmeyer. In 1948 they moved to Lebanon, Oregon where they both worked at the Cascade Plywood Mill. Shortly after moving back to Minnesota, they farmed a few years at Bejou and were blessed with a son while there. For most of their married life, they lived in Windom.

In 1955 Lester was confirmed in the Episcopal Good Shepherd Church and served as vestry member many times and junior warden. He was a member of the American Legion and served on the Color Guard many years. Lester worked in the Windom schools as a custodian for 23 years, retiring in 1984.

In 1997 Lester moved to Alexandria to be closer to his son. He joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Alexandria. Lester was a loving husband, father and grandfather and loved gardening, fishing and reading.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice; four brothers, Robert, Roy, Howard and Raymond; and three sisters, Mollie, Beulah and Mary.

He is survived by his son, Rick Blanshan and wife, Trudy, of Alexandria; grandson, Jesse Blanshan and wife, Angie, of Windom; granddaughter, Katy Blanshan of St. Cloud; and great-granddaughter, Astaria, of Windom; three sisters, Bonnie Larson of Lebanon, Oregon, Jean Patton of Kansas City, Kansas and Cleo Olson of St. James; and two brothers, James Blanshan and Leonard Blanshan, of Lebanon, Oregon.

A visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service being held Friday, September 24 at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Alexandria. The Rev. Fr. Noel Rich will officiate. Nancy Anderson will provide music. Interment will be Saturday, September 25 at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Windom. American Legion Post 87 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 will provide military honors.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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