Lester D. Beers

HAMILTON - Lester D. Beers, 90 of Hamilton MT, formerly of Iowa and Minnesota, passed away on Friday April 21, 2017 at his home.

He was born in Lake Mills Iowa on November 14, 1926 to Charles and Anna Olson Beers.

On July 20, 1951 he married LaVonne Van Ryswyk at Austin MN.  To this union 3 daughters were born; Teresa, Doreen and Julie.

The middle child of 9, he went to work as a youth as several different jobs.  At 17 he began his career as a telegrapher for the M & StL Railroad.  He took time out to join the Navy during World War II and then returned to work for the railroad for another 28 years.  The family moved to different stations around southern Minnesota as the railroad began shutting down.  Les and LaVonne retired young to Victor, MT where they built their log home which was loved by the entire family.  Les then worked at the Hamilton Post Office for 10 years.  He retired again and he and his wife moved to Hamilton.

He is survived by his wife LaVonne; daughters, Teri (Lynn) Kratz of Redwood Falls MN, Reenie (Lee) Kierig of Tucson AZ and Hamilton, and Julie (Kurt) Overholt of Darby.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Hallie (Eric), Melanie (Tim), Chris, Kayte, Ria (Shane), Hannon, Rachel and 4 great-grandchildren, Grace, Abby, John and Justin;  his sister, Bonnie (Acey) Haroldson of Des Moines IA, and sister-in-law, Berniece Beers of Emmons MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glen, Leonard and Ray; and sisters, Delma, Margaret, Esther and Evelyn.

Les loved his family, watching football, reading, history, riding motorcycle, fishing, mowing the lawn, going for drives and visiting with any and all.  He never met a stranger and had an amazing sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. He will be missed by all who loved him.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3rd at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.