Lester Eklund, age 86, of Brainerd, MN died Thursday, February 28, 2013 in his home.

Lester M. Eklund, the son of David and Josehpine (Evans) Eklund, was born August 9, 1926 in Ada, MN. He grew up in the Ada area in a large family of 13. Les was baptized, confirmed his faith and attended Sunday school at First Lutheran Church in Lockhart, MN.

In the 1940's, his family moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, MN where Les worked until enlisting in the United States Navy during World War II. He served his country in the South Pacific on the USS Leary, returning home in the spring of 1948. On October 29, 1948 Les was united in marriage to Clareen Hirsch at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Faith, MN. The couple made their home in various communities in Minnesota while Les worked for the United States Forest Service out of Loman, Little Fork, International Falls and Ray, MN. Les and Clareen moved to Minneapolis in 1956 where he received his education at Dunwoody Institute. In 1960, Les was employed by the City of Minneapolis as their Heavy Equipment Mechanic. After his retirement in 1987, they relocated to Sauk Rapids, MN. In 2002 Les and Clareen moved to Brainerd, where they have continued to live since.

Les truly enjoyed his retirement years. He and Clareen loved traveling throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. They visited where his father, David, was born in Sweden as well as visiting his mother's family in Norway. Les and Clareen also appreciated the outdoors through camping, hunting, fishing and snomobiling with friends and relatives, making new friends along the way. Les particularly liked hunting small game with his Brittany dogs.

Les was a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans, the VFW and over the years, had held different offices in each. He was also an active member of the Numendal Lag for many years.

Les will be deeply missed by his wife of 64 years, Clareen Eklund of Brainerd, MN; daughter, Darlene Eklund of Lake City,MN; nine godchildren; two brothers: Donald Eklund of Ulen, MN and Vernon (Shirley) Eklund of Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Helen Habedank of Garden Grove, CA; a brother-in-law, William Hammer of Milwaukee, WI; three sisters-in-law: Lorraine Eklund of Twin Valley, MN, Vi Eklund of Ada, MN, Maralee Eklund of Minneapolis, MN and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Gust, Merlyn and Jerry; six sisters, Verna, Alice, Eleanor, Doris, Bernice and Ruth along with two godsons, Douglas Hirsch and Jeff Eklund.

Funeral services were Friday, March 8th at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Olaf Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. Visitation was Thursday, March 7th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. all in the Anderson Funeral Home. Officiating was Pastor John Ahola with Alden Anderson serving as organist and Jon and Joanne Peterson serving as vocalists. Pallbearers were his godchildren: Diane Thompson, Betty Paurus, Julie Wenner, Rocky Bentley, James Lee, Donna Koecher, Linda (Anderson) Arens, Arloween Eklund, Donna Klemetson, Michael Hogetvedt and Diane Brickley. Military honors were provided by Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post #431 of the American Legion and MN National Guard Honor Guard.

Interment was in St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley.