Lester Clarence Smith, was born on October 30, 1916, in Fulda, Minnesota, the son of Clay and Agnes (Chepa) Smith. He grew up on the family farm near Benson, Minnesota. On June 17, 1940 Lester was united in marriage to Dorothy Smith at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson. Together they were able to share in 69 years of marriage. This union was blessed with four children. Lester and Dorothy lived throughout Minnesota including Benson, Willmar, Austin, Edina, and Alexandria. They also lived and worked in Texas and Colorado. He worked as a farmer, sheep shearer, truck driver, mechanic, and as an apartment manager. Lester enjoyed fishing, baseball, card playing, and home carpentry projects. He especially loved spending time with his family. Lester was called from this life on March 18, 2010 at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. He attained the age of 93 years, 4 months, and 19 days. Lester is survived by his wife Dorothy of Willmar; three sons, Don (Marie) Smith of Bloomington, George (Noreen) Smith of Maple Grove, and Bob (Gloria) Smith of Aurora, Colorado; 12 grandchildren, Jeffery, Steve, Don, Erin, Matt, Lisa, Renee, Robbie, Kyle, Jared, Angela, and Julie; 15 great grandchildren, Cherette, Amanda, Brenda, Joseph, Patrick, Laura, Ben, Lauren, Cody, Grace, Jack, Alina, Parker, Ayden, and Ella; four great great grandchildren, Hayley, Ryland, Carlos, and Lyra; one brother, Clair (Darlyne) Smith, of Benson; two sisters, Lorraine (LaVerne) Skarsten, of Benson, and Carole Anderson of Benson; son-in-law Sheldon Smith, Denton Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents Clay and Agnes, brothers, Kenneth, Ray, Guerdon (Bud), Forrest, and Douglas, and daughter Deanna.