Lester Precht

Lester Precht, age 93, of Bird Island died Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at the Olivia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, October 17, 2022 at 1:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. George Schmit as celebrant.  Burial in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.  Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.

Lester Clarence Precht was born February 18, 1929 on the family farm north of Hector, MN, to Alfred and Rose (Heller) Precht. He was the second oldest of six.  Les attended country school through the 8th grade, started high school in town before leaving to help his father on the family farm. Lester was part of a thrashing crew that traveled across the country in his earlier years.  He joined the Marines and served as a Corporal during the Korean War from 1951-1953.  Lester married Myrtle Welsh on July 26, 1958 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and they were blessed with four children. Les and Myrt first made their home in Hector and in 1962 moved to Bird Island where they made their family home.  Les worked at the Bird Island Farmers Elevator for 37 years and continued for another 5 years part time after retiring.  He was a very hard worker and he enjoyed gardening, deer hunting, wood working, going to garage sales, going on drives and spending time at the casino.  For fifty-years, Les and Myrt spent a week at R&D Resort in the Park Rapids area with their family during the summer.

Lester is survived by his four children: Roger (Kay) Precht of Bird Island, Nancy (Steve) Takle of Alexandria, Cindy (Steve) Shahan of Albert Lea and Carrie (Kyle) Ryer of Granite Falls; his 13 grandchildren: Dean (Kelsey) Precht, Triston Precht, Allison Precht, Bob Takle, Emily (Jake) Pearson, Erin Takle, Brett Takle, Riley (Travis) Schweiger, Ryan McLaughlin, Eric (Nicole) Shahan, Spencer Shahan, Chelsey (Joe) Guzman, and Paige (Carlos) Esquibel; his four great-grandchildren: McKenna & Kysen Precht, Jackson Shahan, and Thea Belle Guzman; his two siblings: Caroline (Eugene) Lade of Buffalo Lake and Diane (Jim) Hemingsen of Sanborn, sister-in-law Renee Precht; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on the Welsh side and many nieces and nephews. Lester was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-years, Myrtle; his parents; his three siblings: Florence (Francis) Nelson, Elmer (Chris) Precht, and Eugene Precht; and his two infant grandchildren Rachel and Ron Precht.

Blessed Be His Memory