Lester Herr, 102, Bristol, died Feb. 5, 2025, at Sun Dial Manor, Bristol.
Memorial services were Feb. 12 at Fiksdal Funeral Service. Burial will be at a later date.
Lester Emil Herr was born June 3, 1922, to Emil and Augusta (Nolte) Herr in Day County, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Butler Lutheran Church, Butler. He attended school in Butler and graduated from Butler High School in 1940. After his education, he farmed the family farm alongside his father in Valley Township, west of Butler.
He married Virginia Clausen June 18, 1944, at Butler. They lived and farmed in the Butler area. He faithfully worked the fields farming well into his 90s. Virginia died in 1990. He continued to live on the farm until 2015, when he moved to assisted living in Bristol.
He had a daily routine of coffee with his buddies at Bristol and Butler. He enjoyed woodworking, building things and had an inventive mind, constructing parts for machinery when needed. He enjoyed his farm cats and tinkering around the farm. He was involved in the community and an avid cheerleader for all his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities. He was a lifelong member of Butler Lutheran Church where he served on the board. He also served on boards of Sun Dial Manor, Bristol School, Day County Museum, Day County Hospital, Valley Township and Bristol Farmers Union and was instrumental in the formation of Sun Dial Manor. Above all, he cherished time with his family.
Survivors include his children, Shirley and Paul Halvorsen, Webster; Larry and Judy Herr, Bristol; Gloria and Morris Forsting, Sioux Falls; Gayle and Steve Horter, Andover; Michael and Tammie Herr, Bristol; Kathryn and Shayne Schmieg, Andover; 16 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant daughter, Linda; two grandsons; sisters, Edna Jensen, Eleanore Whitmyre and Irene Whitmyre.