Lester L. Williamson

Lester Lavern Williamson, the son of Orville and Lydia (Tessman) Williamson, was born April 12, 1919, on his parents’ farm in rural Audubon County, northeast of Audubon, Iowa and died September 25, 2018, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 99 years, 5 months, and 13 days.
Lester was baptized as an adult at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended rural school in Guthrie County and then helped operate the family farm.
On May 9, 1944, he was united in marriage to Esther Mae Nailor at Lester’s parents’ home in Leroy Township, Audubon County, Iowa. They were blessed with two children Collin and Connie. Over the years they rented farm land in the Audubon area where they grew row crops and raised livestock. In the mid 1960’s along with farming, Lester started working for the city of Audubon as the Public Works Director for over 20 years until he retired. Lester continued to farm until the early 1990’s. He then helped his son Collin mow and helped at his wife’s Esther Mae and daughter’s Connie Upholstery Business.
Lester and Esther Mae enjoyed camping and traveling across the United States. They especially enjoyed the Branson, Missouri area where there were many activities to keep them busy. Esther died August 13, 2005. Lester continued to live at home. Later he became friends with Alma Heuss and they enjoyed each other’s company for several years. Lester moved to the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa in 2017.
Lester was a member of the Faith Community Church in Audubon, Iowa. He enjoyed woodworking and watching his grandson, Lucas play baseball.
Preceding him in death was his wife Esther Mae; his daughter Connie Wheeler; his grandchildren Leslie Mae Wheeler and Lance Wheeler; his sister-in-law Lois and husband Eilert Buckholdt; and his special friend Alma Heuss.
Survivors include his son Collin and his wife Sharlene Williamson of Audubon, Iowa; his grandson Lucas and wife Samantha Wheeler of Huxley, Iowa, his great grandchildren Lauryn and Madden Wheeler both of Huxley, Iowa; his step grandchildren Charles and wife Bernadette Heiner of Spickard, Missouri, Donald Heiner, Jr. of Audubon, Iowa, and Rebecca and husband Mark Andersen of Weatherford, Texas; his step great grandchildren Sharon Tankersley and Relo and wife Maria Ramirez all of Weatherford, Texas; his step great-great grandchildren Ethan Tankersley and Rhyeer Ramirez both of Weatherford, Texas; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Ivan Meyers, on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Arnie Bintner, Duane Tessman, Darold Tessman, Kendall Wiederstein, and Gary Williamson. The casket bearers will be Lucas Wheeler, Charles Heiner, Donald Heiner, Mark Andersen, Bob Batt, and Dale Tessman. The family will meet with friends Friday evening, September 28, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.