Lester E. Boe, age 64, of Felton, Minnesota, died Thursday, December 30th in the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lester Erling Boe was born on July 17, 1946, the son of Lloyd and Evelyn (Askelson) Boe in Ada, Minnesota. He was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Lester attended first grade in Borup, Minnesota, then his parents bought a farm between Ada and Twin Valley, Minnesota in 1953, so he attended Ada Elementary and Ada High School through tenth grade. He then transferred to the Northwest School of Agriculture at the start of his junior year, graduating from there on April 25, 1964. Lester worked for area farmers before and after graduation, and also worked some construction before being drafted into the United States Army on April 25, 1968. He took basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, and AIT (Advance Individual Training) for truck driving at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Then he was sent to Hunter Army Airfield in Savanna, Georgia, and was stationed there until being sent to Vietnam on February 26, 1969. Lester spent a year over there driving 18-wheelers, hauling everything from bombs to booze. He was honorably discharged on April 25, 1970.

On October 31, 1970, Lester married the love of his life, Darlene (Dolly) Braseth from Ulen, Minnesota. Together they had four wonderful kids, three girls and a boy. He worked construction for many years, mainly driving truck on construction for S&S Construction, FM Asphalt and Border States Paving, all out of the Fargo-Moorhead area. In 1994 and 1996 he got injured on the job and had been in ailing health ever since; not only from the accident, but from PTSD and Agent Orange from Vietnam. In February of 2007, Lester was diagnosed with cancer. He bravely fought a long tough battle which ended his life far too early. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Lester's favorite past times included fishing in the summer and winter as well as playing cards, gardening, reading, computers and metal detecting. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, but he treasured the time he spent with his grandsons. Lester was a member of the Ada VFW, Moorhead American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Combat Group at the Fargo Veterans Administration.

Lester is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene of Felton, MN; his four children, Michele (Joel) McIntosh and Jodi (Brad) Borgen all of Felton, MN, Barry (Ivy) Boe of Hawley, MN and Traci Boe (Morgan Sagmo) of Ada, MN; six wonderful grandchildren, Jared and Jordan McIntosh, Bradyn and Braxton Boe and Blake and Cayden Borgen; two brothers, Curt (Loni) and Kevin all of Felton, MN; an uncle, Ted Askelson of Twin Valley, MN and an aunt, Rhoda Anderson of Ely, MN and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents and mother and father-in-law.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 11:00 AM in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton. A Family Gathering was held Thursday, January 6th from 5 PM until 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM at the church. Officiating was Pastor Karla Mickelson with Camie Sroenson serving as organist and Melissa Green serving as vocalist. Urn bearer were Jared McIntosh along with Lester's other grandsons, Jordan McIntosh, Bradyn Boe, Braxton Boe, Blake Borgen and Cayden Borgen. Honorary urn bearers were his Combat Veterans group from the VA Hospital in Fargo. Military Honors were provided by the Ada Veterans Honor Guard and the MN Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Inurnment was in Hegland Lutheran Cemetery, Hawley, Minnesota.