Lester George Unferth

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 14, at 1 p.m. for Lester George Unferth, age 97, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira, Wisconsin.  Lester went home to the Lord on December 26, 2020, from Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira.

Lester was born June 2, 1923, to the late Arthur and Irene (Fritz) Unferth. He attended Lomira area schools, graduating from high school in 1941. He was the 4th generation to run the family farm which his great-grandfather, Frederick Unferth, established in 1869. In 1969, the homestead dairy farm was named a Century Farm at the Wisconsin State Fair. Lester was active in Associated Milk Producers Incorporated and the South Byron Grange.

After selling his dairy herd, he continued crop farming and had more time to enjoy other interests like traveling; attending shows at the Fireside Dinner Theater, where he was a season ticket holder for over 20 years; and making occasional trips to casinos. 

Lester was a selfless, active, and outgoing member of the community involved in a number of organizations. Lester practiced his faith as a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served on the Ebenezer Cemetery board in Lomira Township. He was involved with the Lomira Lions Club and Lomira High School FFA alumni helping with the annual brat fry and chicken barbecue among other events. Since 2003, the Lester and Arlene Unferth Scholarship has been awarded to a Lomira High School graduating senior intending to study an agriculture-related field, and Lester enjoyed selecting the recipient each year.   In 2011, he was awarded Lomira Citizen of the Year for community involvement. In addition to these organizations, Lester enjoyed bowling in leagues and golfing until the spry age of 95! Lester was especially proud when inducted into the Fond du Lac Bowling Hall of Fame in 2013, based on both his 27 years of service as league secretary for the Brownsville Senior Leagues and his instrumental role in getting the leagues sanctioned with Fond du Lac USBC. Lester loved being at and talking about all things related to the farm, visiting family, driving cars for Ernie Von Schledorn, talking about local history, having a well-cooked meal with the occasional soda, and stopping at Gilles or Culvers for a sweet treat.

Lester is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Arlene (Marquart) Unferth. Those he leaves behind include: his three daughters, Vickie (Boris Pritychenko) Unferth, Julie (Jeff) Richter, and Debra Unferth; three grandchildren Craig Richter, Kelsi (Chris) Kaczmarek, and Carly (Joe) Mattson; and two great-grandchildren, Rhett and Clare Mattson. Lester also leaves behind many bowling and golfing buddies, friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, and special friend, Kathy Mintner.     

The Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in Lomira has been entrusted with Lester's arrangements. Condolences may be shared online, mailed to the funeral home, or sent to the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira in Lester's name.

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