Lester T. Solfest

Lester T. Solfest, 94, of rural Strum, died Friday, December 4, 2015 at American Lutheran Home, Mondovi. Lester was born July 20, 1921 in Chimney Rock Township to Palmer and Mabel (Miland) Solfest. On December 9, 1944, he married Betty Jo Drangstveit. They were married 44 years, until Betty passed away on December 15, 1988. Lester was a Brown Swiss dairy farmer most of his life and after retirement he had beef cattle. He served on Chimney Rock Brick School Board and Elk Creek Creamery Board. He drove school bus and held various offices at Chimney Rock Church. Lester enjoyed dancing and playing cards with neighbors. He was a kind and gentle man. Lester is survived by four children, Bob (Martha) Solfest of Luck, Wis., Barb (Robert) Sylla of Independence, Don (Cheryl) Solfest of Eleva and Cindy (Phil Wallis) Solfest-Wallis of Ooltewah, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Dan (Connie) Solfest of Strum, David (Julie) Solfest of Hudson, Darren (friend, Jodi Swenson) of Houlton, Wis., Paul (Tina) Sylla of Independence, Amy (Chad) Pike of Winona, Dallas (Ashley) Solfest of Turtle Lake and Dalton (fiancée Kristin Hodson) Solfest of Eau Claire; 12 great-grandchildren, Katie, Jacob, Adam, Chelsea, Taylor, Morgan and Mason Solfest, Lauren, Brandon and Leah Sylla and Ava and Calla Pike. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; parents, Palmer and Mabel; brother, Sidney (Edna) Solfest; sister Mavis (Bill) Marsh and infant sister, Corinda Solfest. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 7, 2015, at Chimney Rock Lutheran Church, rural Strum, with Rev. Paul Tobiason officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends and family may call from 4-7 p.m. Sunday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lester T. Solfest, please visit our flower store.