Lester Lee Mathews

MISSOULA - Lester Lee Mathews was born September 10, 1921 and passed into life eternal on July 14, 2017.  Our loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather reached the age of 95 with a tough and independent spirit.  He was born in Belle Fouche, South Dakota and graduated from high school there.

 Lester was married to Georgie Ross Mathews in 1943 for a period of 37 years. They raised a large family of five children, 3 sons and 2 daughters.  He will be remembered as a very loving father who worked extremely hard to provide for his immediate family.  Lester taught his family the value of hard work and the importance of higher education, and commitment to family endeavors.

 As a custom home builder for most of his life, he built many beautiful homes throughout the northwest and really excelled in the art of cabinetry.  Before his retirement, he spent 20 years working as a carpenter for the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services.  He received many well deserved accolades for his work at the Children's Hospital there, designing specialized equipment to assist in the care of the patients.

 Dad lived in various places, including Oaksdale, WA, Spokane, WA and for the last 30+ years he was surrounded by family in the Hamilton and Missoula areas of Montana.

Dad took great pleasure in camping and boating throughout the children's growing years, including an exciting 2 week camping/boating excursion in the San Juan Islands of Washington.  It was not unusual to see Dad pulling 3 water skiers behind the family cabin cruiser, called "The Lucky Seven" on the lakes of Pend Oreille and Priest in Idaho. He especially enjoyed numerous annual salmon fishing trips up and down the Washington and Canadian coastlines. He was also an avid "Cubs" fan for years and was so excited, at the age of 95, to watch them win the World Series this past October.

He was preceded in death by our beloved brother, Harlan Hugh Mathews.  He is survived by his children, Bob (Linda) Mathews of Sacramento, CA, Ed (Betty) Mathews of Missoula, Deanna (Dalton) Tessier of Missoula and Marilyn (Rod) Nelson of Missoula; nine grandchildren, Alysa (Cary) Caulfield and Amanda Mathews of Sacramento, CA, Melissa (Rob) Curtis of Seattle, WA, Joni (Mike) Kelly of Stevensville, Mike (Marcy) Loranger of Port Richie, FL, Destini (Gary) Tocci of Colorado Springs, CO, Darin (Natasha) Tessier of Houston, TX, Ben (Shellie) Nelson of Bozeman, and Nick (Sarah) Nelson of Pinehurst, N.C.; and he is also survived by 20 "Great Grandchildren!"

Private graveside services and internment will take place on Saturday, July 22, in Hamilton, Mt. at the Hamilton Riverview Cemetery. Dad will be laid to rest next to his son Harley, and many other directly related family members. He will be dearly missed but we know he will be welcomed into God's Great Kingdom by our brother and other family members already enjoying eternal life.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.