Lester Sigwald Sanderson

Lester Sigwald Sanderson, age 102, was born in Scobey, Montana in 1921.   Lester grew up in Florence, Minnesota on a farm by East Twin Lake.  He attended a country school by the lake until eighth grade, he then was needed to help work on the family farm, after some time Lester attended West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota, to improve his farming abilities to better help the family farm.  In 1942, Lester enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II, he served until he was honorably discharged in 1946.  Shortly after, Lester was introduced to the love of his life Marcella by his sister Evie.  Lester and Marcella were married at the Lac Qui Parle Lutheran Church in Dawson, Minnesota on September 14, 1951.

They started their lives together on the farm of Ole and Ella Solvie near Cyrus, Minnesota for six years while Lester worked for the Solvie family farm.   Lester moved with Marcella to Tyler, Minnesota in 1958 where he began working for Mobile Oil as a bulk agent hauling fuel to many residents, farmers and businesses in the surrounding community until retiring in 1983.  In retirement, Lester enjoyed working summers at the golf course mowing lawns and even worked for Hartquist Funeral Home into his Nineties.  He was involved with a local wood-working group where he enjoyed his passion of wood-working.  Lester was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Club, Tyler Rod & Gun Club, Tyler Fire Department, American Legion and volunteered with the boy scouts frequently.  Lester loved deer hunting “Up North” every year with his dear friend Allen Berg.  

Lester died peacefully on January 24, 2024 at Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota surrounded by his loving family.  Lester is survived by his children, David Sanderson of Plymouth, Minnesota, Loren (Marjean) Sanderson of Crookston, MN; two grandchildren, Travis (Bridget) Sanderson of Thornton, Colorado and Joshua (Candice) Sanderson of River Falls, Wisconsin; and four great-grandchildren, Macklin, Elle, and Corbin of Thornton, Colorado and Ila, of River Falls, Wisconsin; brother, Victor (Zona) Sanderson of Flandreau, South Dakota and  Special friend, Velva Sovell and her family; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Marcella; parents, Louis and Alma Sanderson; Infant Twin brother Leroy Sanderson, and brother Wilfred Sanderson,  sisters, Arlene Robertson, Ione Sutton, Evelyn Mix, and Viola Wesland and three nephews.