A memorial service for Lester Thompson, 95, of Emmetsburg, formerly of Estherville, will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville with Pastor Thomas Marth officiating. Interment will be at a later date at East Side Cemetery with military honors by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91, both of Estherville. Lester passed away peacefully on Oct. 23, 2026, at PARC Hall in Emmetsburg, Iowa, leaving behind a loving family and many cherished memories.
Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral chapel.
Lester Bernard Thompson, son of Ernest and Linda (Burke) Thompson was born in Jackson, Minnesota on July 23, 1931.
Lester graduated from Estherville High School. He served our country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army from October 1952 until August 1954 and then continued to serve in the Army Reserve until September 1960, when he was honorably discharged. He received the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Lester returned to Estherville and married Marian Trosin; they were blessed with three children, Bart, Julie and Amy.
Lester was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Estherville.
Les worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a food safety and meat inspector at John Morrell & Company, formerly Tobin Meat Packing, for 30 years, retiring in September 1984. He later moved to Graettinger, Iowa for 20 years and then to PARC Hall in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Les was a Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. The family had an agreement that when the Vikings won the Super Bowl, they would have a family vacation to Hawaii but thanks to the Vikings, that never happened! He enjoyed feeding birds but would holler at the squirrels and black birds for getting into the bird feeders; he had a ball on a string that he would throw at the window to try to scare them away. He looked forward to visits from his sister, Audrey and her family, Chris, Vicki and Dale because they would stay for a week or more and take him to the casino! Lester will be remembered for his kind heart, his love of family, and the special place he held in the lives of those who knew him. His greatest joy was his family, and he took great pride in watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow. Lester’s family will treasure the memories they shared with him and the love he gave so freely. His presence will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on through the family he loved so dearly.
Lester is survived by his three children: son, Bart Thompson of Milford, Iowa; daughter, Julie (Tom) Tindall of Emmetsburg, Iowa; and daughter, Amy (Jeff) Brezinka of Holmen, Wisconsin. He is also survived by his sister, Audrey Neutzling of South Carolina. Also left to cherish his memory are his beloved grandchildren: Joe (Jen) Tindall, Missy (Gabe Foster) Tindall, and Emma Brezinka. He was also blessed with three surviving great-grandchildren: Tyler Tindall, Colin Tindall, and Ethan Ludowese, who brought additional joy and love into his life.
Lester is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Harold Thompson and Howard Thompson, sister Louise Garret, and his wife Marian Thompson.
His family gives special thanks to his caregivers at PARC Hall for the last ten years of his life.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
