Lester Lee Christmann

Lester Lee Christmann, 57, of Park Rapids, MN, died on Monday, April 18, 2011, at his residence near Park Rapids, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011, at 10:30 AM, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Steele, ND, with Rev. Jerome Hunkler officiating. Interment will be held at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Steele, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24, from 5 ? 8 PM at the Eastgate-Steele Memorial Chapel, in Steele, where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. Lester was born on October 26, 1953, in Bismarck, ND, the son of Samuel William and Magdalena Miller Christmann. He grew up and attended school in Steele, ND, where he graduated from high school in 1971. He attended Wahpeton State School of Science and received his associate's degree. He was united in marriage to Shirley Mary Binstock on Sept. 15, 1973, in Steele, ND. They lived in Fargo for a short time where he was employed as a machinist at Gremada Industries. Lester and Shirley moved to Jamestown in 1974 where they resided and raised their family for 28 years. While living in Jamestown he lived on a 10-acre hobby farm where he raised livestock, focusing on a small scale hog farm and baling alfalfa. He also helped area farmers with their farm work. He was employed as a manager/supervisor at Lucas Western. Lester and Shirley moved to Park Rapids where they built their home and have resided for the past 8 years. Lester worked as an engineer in Park Rapids at Straight River Engineering. From there he obtained his CDL license and he began his career as an over the road long haul truck driver. He was employed with Magnum Trucking until his retirement in 2010. He enjoyed the road and seeing the countryside. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, hunting, fishing, watching wildlife, fixing things and working in his shop, and transplanting trees on his 73-acre tree farm at his home. He enjoyed cooking and watching movies. He liked playing solitaire, scrabble and pinochle. He is survived by his wife, Shirley M. Christmann of Park Rapids, MN; his three children, Tammy Matthew Palluck of Davenport, ND; Tobey Christmann of Davenport, ND; Sarah Christmann of Kindred, ND; Tracy Matthew McGlynn of Mentor, MN; four grandchildren and expecting one more in July; two brothers, Gerald R. Christmann, Steele, ND, and Glenn Brenda Christmann, Lincoln, ND; two sisters, Shirley Rohrich, Moorhead, MN, and Torri Joe Carlson, Bismarck, ND, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Magdalena Christmann.

Lester Lee Christmann

October 26, 1953 - April 18, 2011