Lester Alfred Pell, age 83, of Austin, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2005, at his home.

Lester Alfred Pell was born on Feb. 26, 1922, to Frank and Ella (Mudra) Pell in Freeborn County, rural Albert Lea. He attended the Silver Maple Country School graduating from eighth grade. He manied Marcene Austinson on June 6, 1944, at the Lyle Parsonage, Lyle. They farmed for over 40 years in the London area before moving to Austin in 1986. He served as the president of the London Cemetery Association for many years and was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge, and the Lyle American Legion.

Being a farmer at heart, Lester loved to plant anything in the ground, flowers or vegetables, He always had a large garden. He also enjoyed doing puzzles and going to rummage sales and auctions and had a collection of tractors and caps. He was a family man and enjoyed the family gatherings and loved polka music.

He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Lyle, with The Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea officiating. Interment will be in the London Cemetery in London. Visitation will be held at The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday at the church for one hour before the service

Organist will be David Dahlquist. Soloist will be Ben Olsen, Honorary bearers will be: Derry Olsen, Marty Olsen, Lavern Austinson, Paul Austinson, Joe Hrabak and Bob Clark, Casket bearers will be: Allen Brandt, Jeff Littleton, Brian Brandt,Brenda Boyer, Chad Pell and Troy Pell.

He is survived by wife, Marcene Pell of Austin; children and spouses: Shirley and LeRoy Brandt of Austin, Delores Boyer of Austin, Gene and Gloria Pell of Austin, and Marcia and Gary Sola of Northwood, Iowa; six grandchildren: Al (Deb) Brandt of Austin, Jeff Littleton of

Brownsdale, Brian (Jolene) Brandt of Austin, Brenda Boyer of

Austin, Chad Pell of

Austin, and Tory Pell of

Austin; eight great-grandchildren; sisters: Edith Brothers of Duarte, Calif., and Edna Betket of Orange, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law: Donald and Margaret Pell of Santa Ana, Calif.; brothers-in-law

and sisters-in-law: Agnes Olsen of Lyle, and

Lavern Austinson of Lyle, Paul and Joan Austinson of Rochester, and Loreen Kilgore of Austin; and nieces and nephews.

Dad will always be remembered for getting anything to grow and was always there for his family. Blessed be his memory.