Lester H. “Lefty” Uecker, age 82, of Maple Lake, died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
He was born Sept. 16, 1925, in Albion Township, Wright County, the son of Louis and Amelia Linkert Uecker. Lester was baptized Oct. 11, 1925, by the Rev. Alfred Streufert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Middleville Township. He was also instructed in the Lutheran catechism and confirmed in the Christian faith April 2, 1939 at the same church by the Rev. William D. Kanning.
Lester and Leona A. Koepke were joined in holy marriage April 30, 1949, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Middleville Township by the Rev. Herman Bentrup. God blessed their marriage with four children.
Lester engaged in dairy farming for many years and was also employed for 22 years at Minnesota Rubber.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his grandchildren, and was a sports enthusiast, especially fond of baseball and softball.
Lester was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale, and also belonged to the Maple Lake American Legion Post.
He is survived by his children: Sharon (John) Schmitz of Annandale, Gail (Dave) Schwartz, and Sandy (Joe) Couette, all of Maple Lake, and Darrell (Margie) Uecker of New Hope; grandchildren Tony Schmitz, Tammy (Tim) Hinz and Todd Schmitz, Troy (Stacy) Schwartz, Tana (Bobby) Fobbe, Matt and Kim Schwartz, Aaron, Nate, and Heather Couette, and Natalie, Emma, and Jack Uecker; and great-grandchildren A.J. and Colby Hinz, Sydney, Madison, and Carson Schwartz, and Brayden Fobbe.
Lester is further survived by a brother, Ron (Joyce) Uecker; sisters Helen Gruenhagen, Loretta Lundy, and Ruth Uecker; sisters-in-law Lorraine Uecker, Ann Uecker, and Erna Steenerson; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Leona A. Uecker; his parents, Louis and Amelia Uecker; and siblings Herb, Arnold, Alvin, Leona, and Donald Uecker.
Funeral services were Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale with the Rev. Thomas Queck officiating. Kathy Queck was the organist. Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest,” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” Interment followed at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Middleville Township.
Visitation was Friday, April 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, with a prayer service was at 7 p.m.
Casket bearers were Tony Schmitz, Todd Schmitz, Troy Schwartz, Matt Schwartz, Aaron Couette, Nate Couette, and Jack Uecker.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family.
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