Lester O. Hogden
Lester Orville Hogden, 91, of Galesville, passed away June 13, 2022, at Gundersen Health System, surrounded by his family.
Lester was born at home, January 28, 1931, in Ettrick, to Neal and Laura Hogden. He was one of five children and attended schools in Upper French Creek and Ettrick. Lester was married over 60 years to his wife, Dorothy.
Over the years, Lester worked at Warner and Swasey, and Watkins Company in Winona, MN. He was the head of the safety committee at Warner and Swasey and was the Vice President of the United Autoworkers in Winona. Lester was a dairy farmer, trimmed trees and retired from T.R.W. in Ettrick. He was also a life-long member of French Creek Lutheran Church where he was custodian for 40 years. Lester sang in the church choir in his younger days, served as the church treasurer, and he and his wife, Dorothy, were Sunday School librarians.
Lester enjoyed horses his whole life and was often seen in the local parades with them. He and his wife, Dorothy, were members of a local pony club for several years. He was a life-long member of the Dodge Sportsman’s Club and was seen frying chicken with his friends from Dodge. Lester loved getting his cars from Osseo Gunderson Chevrolet and established life-long friends at this place. In his younger days, he was a part of a group of French Creek gentlemen who played violins. They played at Christmas time and sometimes at other venues. Later on in life, he would play violin at family Christmases with his children.
He loved supporting his grandchildren by attending their events. Lester was a man with a strong work ethic and was meticulous in whatever he did. He was known for a good conversation and a smile and loved his hugs. Lester was blessed to live at home and take care of himself until the end of his life.
Lester has been blessed to be survived by his six children: Steven (Linda) Hogden, Jeffrey Hogden (Terry), Candice Hogden (John), Crystal (Alan) Bartels, Douglas (Tracy) Hogden and Connie (Matt) Skwierawski. He is further survived by his eight grandchildren: Collin (Kaylyn) Bartels, Brendan (Katherine) Bartels, Ashtin (Nathaniel) Harris, Neal Hogden, Andrew Hogden, Joshua Hogden, Julia Skwierawski and Gracia Skwierawski. Lester is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Meredith Bartels, Cassandra Bartels and Lance Harris.
The family would like to warmly thank Gundersen Health System for the excellent care of Lester.
Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Hogden; his parents, Neal and Laura (Ofsdahl) Hogden; his four siblings: Ernest (Jean) Hogden, Norman (Molly) Hogden, Gordon Hogden and Florence (Jerry) Parrott.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at French Creek Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the funeral. Visitation was also held at French Creek Lutheran Church, rural Ettrick, on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Rev. Jeffrey Hogden officiated, assisted by the Rev. John Spencer.
