Lester Joens

Visitation Sunday, January 29, 2006, After 3 PM Ohde Funeral Home in Manning

Funeral Service Monday, January 30, 2006, 10:30 AM Ohde Funeral Home in Manning

Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manning

   Lester Edwin, son of Henry and Ida (Schroeder) Joens, was born May 2, 1928, at Gray, Iowa. He graduated from Manning High School in 1945. On October 5, 1950, Les enlisted in the United States Navy and served as radio operator aboard the USS J.Douglas Blackwood. Upon receiving his honorable discharge on July 29, 1954, Les returned to Manning and began farming southeast of town.    On September 5, 1960, Les was united in marriage with Laura Wittrock at Halbur. Four children were born to this union. Les and Laura continued to farm and from 1981 to 1985, he also worked as a distributor and was a franchise holder of Conklin Products. In 1982, he started as an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Laura died November 7, 1989.    On October 20, 1990, Les was blessed with a second marriage, this time with Delone Brockman Musfeldt at Las Vegas, Nevada. Les and Delone made their home in Omaha, Nebraska until 1995, when Les retired and they settled in Carroll.    Les was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Manning for more than 40 years and served as elder. He was a member of the Manning Community School Board for 12 years and served one term as president. He also served on the School of Nursing Advisory Board for DMACC in Carroll and the Carroll County Conservation Board. He was a member of Manual Lodge No. 450 in Manning, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of which he was a drill team member for 19 years. He was selected as Farmer of the Year in 1973 by the Manning Jaycees of which he was a member. Les was also a member of the National Limousin Cattle Association and served as president of the Iowa Limousin Association.    Early in the year 2005, Les experience a decline in his health and died of leukemia on Thursday, January 26, 2006, at his home in Carroll, Iowa. He was 77 years of age.    Lester is survived by his wife Delone Joens of Carroll; daughters Deanne and husband Randy Mundt of Urbandale and Tonya and husband Dan Hobbs of Grimes; sons Jeff Joens and friend Diane Lappe of Manning and Brian Joens and wife Lana Fogue-Joens of Des Moines; granddaughters: Erica and Stephanie Mundt of Urbandale; a brother Ivan Joens of Ankeny; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Laura Wittrock Joens, brother Allan Joens and a sister-in-law Betty Karnes Joens.