Lester Vogeler

Lester Vogeler, 98, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Monday, August 15, 2016 at CHI St. Francis Healthcare, Breckenridge, MN. His funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, with Rev. Matthew Tooman officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.
Lester Arnold Vogeler was born on April 16, 1918 at Colfax, ND to John and Gertrude (Hendricksen) Vogeler. He was baptized on May 18, 1919 and later confirmed at Betania Church at Abercrombie; he grew up near Galchutt, ND and attended Galchutt Public Schools.
Lester worked with several of his brothers from 1940-1941 in the Mooreton area. He enlisted in the 341st Army Corps of Engineers in 1942 and served his country until 1945, working on the Alcan Highway and also serving in Europe. After returning home he farmed west of Mooreton.
Lester married Darline Buck on October 15, 1948 at St. John's Lutheran Church near Tyler, ND. To this union, the couples were blessed with two daughters. They lived and farmed near Mooreton, ND, until 1983 when they retired and moved to Wahpeton. His faith in God led him to serve as an Elder at Peace Lutheran Church in Barney where he and Darline became members. After retiring to Wahpeton in 1983, they became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended Rainbow Court Bible Study for many years. He was also a member of the Robert Bergman American Legion Post #283 for many years and served as a director of the Richland County Special Education Board for over 20 years. During his wife's last years he became her chief caregiver and showed pure devotion to her and their children and grandchild. He loved to visit, play Rummikub and puzzles.
Lester is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (Terry) Pankow, Willmar, MN and Barbara Vogeler, Fargo, ND; a grandson, Brent Pankow, Willmar; two great grandchildren, Mikia and Nicholas; a brother Lyle (Dolly) Vogeler, Hamel, MN; and a sister-in-law, Hilda Vogeler, Wahpeton; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Darline; his parents, John and Gertrude; five brothers, Andrew, Oliver, Willard, Norman and Ed Vogeler; and three sisters, Laurina Vogeler, Catherine Simdorn, and Virginia Wirtjes.