Lester was born June 24, 1927, near
Fairmount
,
ND
, the son of William “Bill” and Helen (Meyer) Krause. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Lester attended school in
Campbell
,
MN
. At the age of 22, Lester joined the US Army and proudly served his country in
Korea
. After his honorable discharge he returned to the area and married Elsie Witzke on June 15, 1953 at
Immanuel
Lutheran
Church
in Wahpeton. Lester worked at Schuler Elevator in
Breckenridge
,
MN
and later lived and farmed near
Fairmount
,
ND
, where they enjoyed 31 years of marriage until her death in 1984. Lester married Esther Bjore on October 28, 1988; they made their home in Fairmount on the farm and later moved to Wahpeton in 1993, where they have continued to live.
Lester was a member of
First
English
Lutheran
Church
and Woody Keeble VFW Post No. 4324 VFW-Wahpeton. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and relatives. He loved visiting with everyone and spending time at the lake with his step children and grandchildren; especially in the evenings listening to the sound of the Loons.
Lester is survived by his loving wife, Esther, Wahpeton; six stepchildren: Larry (Cheryl) Bjore, Glendale, AZ; Karen (Bjore) Pausch, Wahpeton; Lynn (Jean) Bjore, Wahpeton; Leslie (Kelly) Bjore, Bismarck, ND; Leigh (Candis) Bjore, Fargo; Kristina (Mike) Kuntz, Devils Lake, ND; 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Elsie, his two brothers, Harold and Sylvester “Bud” Krause, and his sister, Dorothy McConn-Schroeder.
