Lester Leidahl

     Lester Leidahl, age 86, of Decorah, IA, died on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA.      Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Allen Vik presiding. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, IA.      Friends may call after 9:00 a.m., at the funeral home on Saturday morning.    Lester Odell Leidahl was born on February 15, 1928, the son of Alice Leidahl in Winneshiek County. Lester attended country school in Winneshiek County. He was united in marriage to Harriet Brown on June 27, 1953 in Spring Grove, Minnesota. For the thirty-five years of Lester’s working life, he was a self-employed truck driver before retiring in 2000. He enjoyed his horses, fishing, gardening and especially his grandchildren. Lester was always willing to help out anyone who needed help.      Lester is survived by his children: Linda (Duane) Roney, Charles City, IA; Cliff (Paula) Sweet, Salt Lake City, UT; Elaine (Wayne) Dow, McKinney, TX; Wanda (Duane) Garden, Acme, PA: Diane (Ken) Berry, Sparta, WI; and Sharon Groh, Charles City, IA. Lester is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and several great grandchildren, along with many cousins and friends.      Lester was preceded in death by his mother: Alice Leidahl, his wife: Harriet Leidahl on Jan. 30, 2010, son-in-law: Ken Betty, two grandsons: Jared Sweet and Travis Berry.