TOLEDO- Lester J. Brickner, age 85, of Toledo, died Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama under the care of Iowa Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 5, 2009 from 4-6 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with a Vigil Service at 6 PM.
Lester was born on November 24, 1923, in Otter Creek Township, the son of Joseph and Agnes (Cooper) Brickner.
He attended country school and graduated from Toledo High School. Lester served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific during World War II. After returning from the service, Lester drove gravel and sand trucks. He also hauled lime and at one time drove school bus. He was a lifetime member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and also a member of the Toledo American Legion. Lester loved cats and getting together with family. He played volleyball at many family reunions. He also enjoyed having a big garden.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers-in-law, Don Lenhart and Dick Schmidt; and grandmother Katherine Pitka.
Survivors included three sisters, Marguerite Brickner and Rita Lenhart both of Tama and Marjorie Schmidt of Marshalltown; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama.