Lester D. Johnson

Lester Duane Johnson, age 95 of Menomonie passed away Friday, July 3, 2026 at American Lutheran Home in Menomonie.

Lester was born February 14, 1931 on a farm in the township of Hay River near Wheeler, WI; son of Carl Invold and Rosie (Flug) Johnson. Lester was a lifelong member of the Hay River Lutheran Church and was baptized on April 12, 1931. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1948. Lester married Patricia Oberstadt on May 31, 1975 at Hay River Lutheran Church in Wheeler, WI.

At an early age he worked as a farm laborer for two years and hauled can milk for another two years. Lester then worked at a sawmill for nine months, cutting and skidding logs. He worked at Waukesha Pump Factory in Waukesha, WI for two years, then returned to Menomonie to drive truck. He hauled bulk milk for six years and welding supplies for fourteen years. In 1980 he went to work for 3M Company in Menomonie as a security guard until he retired on January 1, 1996.

In 1985 Lester and Pat traveled to London, England, crossing the English Channel to Belgium, then onto Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy and France; then flew back home from England. After retirement they traveled to Norway twice, and once to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. They loved to travel with One-on-One and Dairy State Bank around the USA, including 19 times to The Norwegian Hostfest in Minot, North Dakota. Lester and Pat travelled on many trips with their cousins.

Lester is survived by his wife Patricia, step-son Michael (Amy) Hansen, step-granddaughter Michelle (Wesley) Hanson, step-grandson Justen (Natasha) Hansen; three step-great granddaughters Ariel and Athena Hanson and Ryliegh Hansen; two step-great grandsons Jace and Huk Hansen; sister-in-law Rose Oberstadt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clarence M. Johnson, four sisters-in-law Viona Heuer, Betty Johnson, Mary Spoehr and Jeanette Oberstadt; four brothers-in-law Gilbert Oberstadt, Raymond Oberstadt, Dallas Heuer and Milton Spoehr.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Hay River Lutheran Church, Wheeler, WI with Pastor Adam Klefstad officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is serving the family.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com