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Lester Wayne Neuberger

1921 - 2004

Lester W. Neuberger, 82, of Klemme, died on Friday, June 11, 2004, at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, with his family at his side. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 14, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. The Rev. Paddy Druhl officiated. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme, with full military honors rendered by the Garner Military Honor Guard. The Tenold-Andrew Funeral Home of Klemme, was in charge of the arrangements. The family suggests memorials to the Klemme United Methodist Church or the donor's choice.

Lester Wayne Neuberger, was born on June 21, 1921, on a farm east of Klemme, the son of Lewis and Sena (Loger) Neuberger. He attended country school and graduated from the Klemme High School in 1939. Following high school he went on to school where he learned to be a machinist. He was employed for a time by Minneapolis-Moline in Hopkins, Minnesota, until the time he entered the service. On August 9, 1942, he was united in marriage to Frances Schulz at the Klemme Methodist Church.

In January of 1943, he entered the United States Army where he served in the European theatre of operations. He was stationed in southern England until D-Day and then spent tenures in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He received many decorations, including the Good Conduct Medal, five Bronze Stars, and the Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon. He was a part of the battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. Lester was honorably discharged on September 1, 1945. On June 6, 1997, he was awarded the French Freedom Medal and the Diploma of Liberation from the Republic of France for the Battle of the Bulge Campaign.

Lester was a long time member of the Garner VFW. After completing his military service, Lester and his wife, Frances farmed for many years on a farm east of Klemme. He was also employed at Armour's Meat Packing, Mason City, as a machinist for 20 years before retiring in 1974. The couple moved into Klemme from the farm in 1986. Lester was a life time member of the Klemme United Methodist Church. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid fisherman and passed on the tricks and skills of his favorite past time to his grandchildren. Lester and Frances enjoyed dancing, traveling, and the last 24 years wintering in Weslaco, Texas. He loved to visit with friends and looked forward to daily coffee sessions in Klemme and Garner.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 62 years, Frances; daughter, Claudia; grandchildren, Kari (Neuberger) Eidemiller, Kyle Neuberger, and Aaron and Megan Opheim; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Trevor Eidemiller; daughter-in-law, Sinva (Neuberger) and husband, Randy Opheim; a sister-in-law, Muriel Schulz; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sena and Lewis; sons, Mark in 1975 and Franklin in 1988; brothers, Donald and Melvin; and sisters, Lula, Pearl, and Cora.

source: Garner Leader & Signal, 16 Jun 2004

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