Lloyd Lester was born on September 28th, 1926 at the ShaunavonUnionHospital. He grew up on his parents farm in the Stone District and attended school at AntelopeLakeSchool. After completing school, he worked for Charlie Behrman at the implement dealership in Shaunavon. He married Henrietta (Toots) Aldag on June 11th, 1947, and immediately began their family. They had two daughters – Faye Lynn and Donna May. Six months after Faye’s birth, the family moved to Cranbrook, BC where Lloyd found employment as a cat operator in the logging industry. He attended school in the evenings and received training as a first aid attendant. He was a valued employee for, in addition to operating the cat, he drove the crew bus, worked as a medic and fought forest fires. In 1966, Lloyd and his family moved back to Saskatchewan where he farmed and worked as an operator in the oilfield. He and Toots resided at the Aldag homestead north of Shaunavon until 2000, when they moved to town. In the fall of 2006, he moved to the Autumn House in GullLake. He loved spending time with his family and spent as much time as possible playing with his daughters and grandchildren. In Cranbrook, he started the first girls’ baseball team. He also built a bobsled and took the girls sledding down the logging roads. He shared with his grandson, Darren, his love of fishing and hunting. He taught both his grandchildren to drive with his old standard Datsun. Lloyd loved dancing, singing and playing the piano. At the Autumn House, he was always eager to join in any sing-song and loved to dance with the ladies.
Lloyd was survived by his daughter, Donna Shulson; his sister-in-law, Opal Lester; his grandchildren, Darren and Christine; and his great-grandchildren, Rori, Tessa, Sierra, Chenielle and Daylan; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Faye; his wife, Toots; his son-in-law, Bruce Shulson; his parents, Harry and Kate Lester; his brothers, Vern, Glen and Allan; and his sisters, Grace Behrman and Hazel Lester.
The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm from the SalemLutheranChurch, Shaunavon, SK with Rev. Eugene Mau officiating. The organist for the service was Lynn Wilson. “Rock of Ages”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, “When Peace Like a River” and “Nearer My God to Thee” were sung by the congregation. The eulogy was shared by Donna Shulson. The Interment of Cremains will be held at a later date. In Memory of Mr. Lloyd Lester, donations made to the Autumn House, Gull Lake, SK, c/o R.M. of Carmichael would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. |
