Cletus B. Lester  1926-1999

Mass of Christian Burial for Cletus B. Lester, 73, Spearfish, and formerly of Bison, was held Tuesday, October 19, at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison, with Reverend Father Kerry Prendeville officiating.  Internment followed in the Bison Cemetery.

Mr. Lester died following a bout with cancer, at Lookout Memorial Hospital, Spearfish, Friday, October 15, 1999.

Cletus Bernard Lester was born in Lyman on August 6, 1926 to Aubrey andTessie (Berg) Lester.  As a young boy he moved with his family to Reliance, where he attended school and graduated from Reliance High School with the class of 1945.

He was united in marriage to Joan Burke at Reliance, December 19, 1947.  Cletus worked for various construction firms throughout the years, where he gained many friends.  In 1971, he moved to Martin, where he was employed as Bennett County Highway Superintendent.  In April, 1972, he moved to Bison where he served as Perkins County Highway Superintendent until retiring in September, 1988.  In 1983-1984, he was elected State President of the County Highway Superintendent's Association.

In 1990, he became employed as driver for Live Center, Inc., of Lemmon, which kept him busy part time, delivering meals and transporting Senior Citizens to nutrition sites and card games.  He also made weekly trips with the bus to Lemmon and Hettinger, ND.  He later enjoyed transporting little children to Head Start.  He loved children and always had an enjoyable time with them.  He retired from driving the bus in 1997.

Cletus served on the Bison Town Board from May, 1991 to April, 1997, and as Mayor from January '95 to April '97, prior to moving to Spearfish in July 1997.

He loved to hunt, fish and play cards.  He always had some of his children and  grandchildren at his side during these occasions, giving them lessons and advice in a loving way.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan of Spearfish; four sons: Robert and Rafaela Lester of Mollala, Oregon, James and Cathi Lester of Williamsport, Indiana, Thomas and Cindy Lester of Rapid City, and Jack Lester of Spearfish; two daughters: Deborah Lester of Lemmon, and Paula and Dave Kopren of Bison; 10 grandsons, two step-grandsons; three granddaughters, and eight great-grandchildren; two brothers: Clinton and Agnes Lester of Glendale, Arizona, and Gary and Rose Lester of Deadwood; two sisters: Joyce and Loyd Brandt of Rapid City and Lana and Ronald Hill of Whitewood, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steven, grandson, John J., his parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Ruth Lester, and a brother-in-law, Paul Burke.