Lester Morgensen

WALNUT — Lester E. Morgensen, 97, entered eternal life on Dec. 24, 2009.

Lester was born Nov. 25, 1912, in Lostant, Ill., to Laura (Mortensen) and Karl Morgensen and had three brothers, Ethan Theodore, Irvin (Lil) and Lyle (June), and one sister, Marjorie (Ralph Grasser). He married Mae P. Smith on April 8, 1933. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mae on July 26, 2005, his daughter Dee (Heuer) and his son Ron.

He is survived by a son, Carl (Sharon) from Ukiah, Calif.; one brother, Lyle (June) of Belvidere, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren as well as five great-grandchildren.

He had many jobs involved in farming and he worked for the highway department before learning the chicken hatchery business in the McNabb, Ill., area. He then moved to Ohio, Ill., to raise his three children where he started the business known as the Ohio Hatchery. He became actively involved in the Ohio community through civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Ohio Volunteer Fire Department rising to the level of chief and served with the Village Board as well as being parade announcer for the Ohio Centennial Village Celebration. He also was the village township tax assessor for many years. He diligently participated in both the Eastern Star and Shriner organizations. He was dedicated to his church and faith while serving on the church council at the First Lutheran Church in Ohio. He supported the Ohio Schools by driving a school bus, working as a scorekeeper and timekeeper for the basketball program for many years. However his greatest love was for his wife, children and extended family. He was a man of faith, inspiration, character and honest hard work which are virtues he instilled in his entire family. He particularly enjoyed two recreational hobbies — fishing and golf. Every year he and the family would travel to northern Minnesota for weeks of pleasure and relaxation in Deer River, Minn., while fishing daily and golfing often. On one occasion he accidentally fell out of a boat on Deer Lake and was rescued by a minister, truly a sign of God’s plan to allow him to carry on. He was a member of the Mendota golfing club where he enjoyed endless rounds of golf with friends and family.