Lester P. Gooler, 91, of International Falls, Minn., died Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at Rainy Lake Medical Center.
Lester was born in Moose Lake, Minn., on Dec. 2, 1922, to Paul and Marion Gooler.
He grew up in Moose Lake and graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1940.
Lester entered the United States Army Air Corps and served in the South Pacific Theater of War.
After the service he moved to Solon Springs, Wis., and took a course in auto body repair.
Lester had also been a fireman for the railroad on the Soo Line.
On Oct. 24, 1942, he married Lilly G. Simonsen in Duluth, Minn.
They moved to International Falls in 1956 and Lester began work at an auto body shop. He also worked for Mando and later as a custodian at Falls Elementary School and as a school bus driver.
He was a self-taught carpenter and remodeled several homes in International Falls. He always worked two jobs at a time.
Lester was a volunteer for the Falls Nursing Home and for the local Meals on Wheels for several years. To recognize his long term volunteering, Lester was honored with the “Volunteer of the Year” recognition in 2012.
Lester was very active in the Evangelical Covenant Church and held many positions.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Shawn Nelson;and five sisters, Laura Nelson, Sis Slowenski, Irene Kalm, Pearl Hughes and Leah McDonald.
He is survived by son, Dennis (Alice Dodd) Gooler of San Diego, Calif.; daughters, Sandra (Greg) Nelson of Austin, Texas, and Carol (Greg Sales) Carrier of Minneapolis, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-granchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his close friend, Lolly Hopke, of International Falls; and two cats, “Precious” and “Charcoal.”
Funeral services with military rites were conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Evangelical Covenant Church, International Falls.
Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Interment will be at Ericsburg Cemetery, Ericsburg, Minn.
The family would prefer memorial donations to Koochiching County Senior Center, 307 Fourth St., International Falls, MN 56649.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
25 YEARS AGO
The International Falls School Board recently accepted resignations of elementary teacher Lois Rohl and English teacher Roy Miskulin.
Henry and Cindy Kostiuk announce the arrival of their son, Jeffrey Joseph, 9 pounds, 2 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, born today at Falls Memorial Hospital.
40 YEARS AGO
A girl was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. Brent Gerlach, Grand Rapids, Minn., announce the birth of a son today. The infant has been named Todd Michael and he weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces.
The Pilgrim Degree, the highest award in the Loyal Order of Moose, was given to Lester Ewald in special ceremonies held at the Falls recently.
50 YEARS AGO
“One of our most critical needs is for industrial development in Koochiching County,” Irvin Anderson, newly-elected state representative, told Falls Chamber of Commerce members yesterday at their regular monthly meeting.
Rennie Calder has been practicing as spare goalie for coach Larry Ross and is up for the first year on the varsity.
Led by a hat-trick by Tom Murray, the Falls Mando Midgets slipped past their counterparts across the river last night, 5-4. This was the first game for the Falls boys. Also scoring for the winners were Pat DeMarki and Lee Eisenzoph.
Mr. and Mrs. James Harding of Barrow, Alaska, are spending some time in International Falls and Littlefork. Mrs. Harding is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Retter, former Falls residents who now reside at the Littlefork Nursing Home.
60 YEARS AGO
A son was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Piekarski, Loman Route; weight, 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
A son was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Addy Watt, Ray; weight, 8 pounds, 12 ounces.
A son was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. John Mital, 1115 Ninth Ave.; weight, 6 pounds, 9 ounces; name chosen, David John.
Daniel G. Ruelle, airman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gay Ruelle of 712 10th St., arrived in San Diego, Calif., aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea from an eight-month cruise in the Far East.
70 YEARS AGO
An International Falls child, David Toder, 2 1/2, who recently contracted infantile paralysis, is now receiving treatment at Gillette Hospital for Crippled Children in St. Paul and is expected to make a complete recovery. The child is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cy Toder.
Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Lucca are serving with Uncle Sam’s forces overseas. They are Cpl. Geno, Pfc. Livio and Tranquillo, S2/c.
Harold Mirka, A/S, who entered the service with the last contingent, is receiving his basic training at Farragut.
Mr. and Mrs. S.O. Hafdahl, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Scholta and son Jackie, and L.G. Christensen, Loman, drove to the Falls recently to see a movie.
Robert (Bob) LaFond, of Circle Pines, Minn., passed away Monday, Nov. 17, 2014.
Mass of Christian Burial, is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church, 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes, Minn.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
