Lester Holman

Funeral services for Lester F. Holman of Wadena and formerly of Horseshoe Bend, AR, will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Thomastown Covenant Church at Staples. Friends may call one hour prior to services on Wedneday at the church. Lester passed away at the age of 93 years on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Astera Health Hospital in Wadena. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The funeral service will be livestreamed on: Schuller Family Funeral Home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Schuller-Family-Funeral-Homes-Cremation-Services-100063798813543/ or YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jZx4o7kREPtz8aSI4tEw ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lester was born to Ole and Mary Mae (Schimpp) Holman on January 10, 1931 at Staples, MN. He attended District 60 country school and Verndale high school. On April 13, 1949, he began his career with the US Air Force. During his tenure he served in Vandenberg, CA and was part of the team that launched the 1st satellite into space. His service spanned the Korean and Vietnam wars and he retired from Whiteman AFB in Sedalia, MO, as a SMSgt, receiving his honorable discharge on July 31, 1971. Lester was united in marriage with Betty Jean Reeves on June 28, 1953 at Columbus, IN. Les was a bit of a free spirit in their marriage. In their years, he often showed up with a new car in the driveway and 'beep beep'. Betty was always supportive and would walk out with a smile. Betty followed him with the Air Force transfers and always did the tough work to make the best for their girls. Lester did his thing, and she was there to support. Betty passed away in 2021. Active with Veteran Affairs organizations, he also was a member of local VFW clubs, the USO, and NCO clubs. He enjoyed woodworking, giving away his homemade canes to those who needed one and slingshots and other crafts with his many visitors. Preceding Lester in death were the love of his life, wife Betty Jean; parents, Ole and Mary; in-laws, Dale and Nellie Reeves; and siblings, Martin “Pete” Holman, Jeanette Clark, and Roger Holman. He is survived by daughters, Debby (Ed) Sandon of Las Vegas, NV and Sherry (Tim) Merth of Wyoming, MN; 5 grandchildren Levi Merth, Lindsey Brownson, Leah Merth, Kari Brownson, and Sarah Brownson; and sisters Verna Honeycutt of Erwin, NC and Diane (Larry) Hahn of Verndale, MN. Honorary pallbearers will be Lester and Betty Jean’s grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be Levi Merth, Ed Sandon, Bradley Hahn, Mike Bermier, and Doug Schimpp. Military honors will be provided by Grand Forks AFB Honor Guard. Interment will be in West Lyons Cemetery in Verndale, MN.

Lester Holman

January 10, 1931 - April 19, 2024