416th Bombardment Group (L) Lester Gustave Alsleben T/Sgt, Crew Chief March 17, 1916 - July 1, 2012 668th Bombardment Squadron (L)

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Lester Gustave Alsleben was born on March 17, 1916, at his family’s home in New Auburn Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. He was the
son of Louis and Otillie (Ellig) Alsleben. Lester was baptized as an infant on April 9, 1916, by Reverend Geo. Diemer and was later confirmed in his
faith as a youth on April 13, 1930, by Reverend Hans Werner, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minnesota. He attended the
Metcalf School in New Auburn and later attended parochial school for two years.

Lester entered active military service in the United States Air Force on April 17, 1942, and served his country as an aircraft mechanic in the
416th Bomb Group during World War II. He earned the rank of Tech Sergeant. In January of 1944, he was sent overseas to the European
Theatre. Lester was stationed in England until the invasion of France, where he took part in the air offense of Europe, Normandy and Northern
France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Lester was a Carbine Marksman and received the Good Conduct Medal, Go 2 Hq. 416 Gp. 44,
Bronze Star Medal, Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal, three overseas bars and a Lapel button. He had “no time lost” while in the service. Before
his discharge, he spent two months in Holland near Germany, and England. Lester’s group was offered passage on a Kaiser built boat to the
United States. They arrived in New York in October 1945, and then took a
train ride to Camp McCoy. Lester received an Honorable Discharge on October 4, 1945.

On June 28, 1944, Lester was united in marriage to Rodella Hoof at the parsonage in Bongards, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with five
children. Lester and Rodella resided in Brownton. They enjoyed 29 years of marriage until Rodella passed away in 1970.
On December 13, 1973, Lester was united in marriage to Veryle Sleiper of Brainerd. Lester and Veryle resided in Brownton and enjoyed many bus
trips to various states. They shared 20 years of marriage until Veryle passed away in 1993.

In Lester’s youth, he helped on the farm with horses and tractors, and he also helped neighbors and worked in town. When he reached the age of
22, Lester moved to Brownton and began working for Elmer Bartels, hauling gravel and driving a beverage truck. After returning from the war,
Lester decide to go back to work with Bartels. With on the job training, Lester learned to operate the ¾ yard dragline, backhoe and shovel. From
1946 until 1957, many of the basements and open ditches in the Brownton area were dug by Lester. He also worked part-time in the winter plowing
snow for McLeod County, garage work for Podratz and Timm and meat cutting at the Brownton Meat Market. In the spring of 1957, William
Pinske asked Lester to work full time at the Meat Market. Lester learned all phases of the meat cutting trade and continued working until his
retirement in 1981. He helped out at the Meat Market part-time until 2000.

Lester became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton in 1940. He was also a member of the Brownton American Legion Edward Ewald Post #143,
Brownton Rod & Gun Club, Brownton Civic & Commerce Association, Brownton Senior Citizens, Brownton Fire Department and the Little Falls VFW Post #1112.
Lester enjoyed traveling, woodworking, wine making, playing bingo and cards. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.
Lester passed away Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota, at the age of 96 years.
Blessed be his memory.

Lester is survived by his:

Children, Reverend Robert Alsleben and his wife, Vanna of Victoria, MN,
Thomas Alsleben and his wife, Beverly of Brooklyn Park, MN,
Jerel Alsleben and his wife, Jane of Brainerd, MN,
Jacquelyn Rosenow and her husband, Bruce of Hutchinson, MN,
Cynthia Lindeman and her husband, Randall of Brownton, MN;

13 Grandchildren, Reverend Stephen Alsleben and his wife, Vivian, Kristina Alsleben, Kristen Butler and her husband, Ryan, Scott Alsleben and his wife, Ellen Palmer, Peter Alsleben and his wife, Holly, Ellen Voigt, Ryan Rosenow and his wife Jennie, Paul Rosenow, Reid Rosenow, Alisa Grewe and her husband, Dan, Sarah Lindeman and her husband, Andy Steinbach, Leah Lindeman and her husband, Nate Gunderson, Kaycie Lindeman;

12 Great Grandchildren, Joshua Alsleben, Megan Alsleben, Lillian Alsleben, Laila Rosenow, Graysen Rosenow, Sadie Rosenow, Seth Grewe, Lucas Grewe, Ian Grewe, Eli Steinbach, Ella Gunderson, Alice Gunderson;

Sisters-In-Law, Gladys Alsleben of Gaylord, MN,
Evelyn Alsleben of Glencoe, MN,
Ruth Hoof of Lester Prairie, MN,
Esther Hoof of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, Nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Lester is preceded in death by his Parents, Louis and Otillie Alsleben; First Wife, Rodella Alsleben; Second Wife, Veryle Alsleben; Brothers, Clarence Alsleben, LeRoy Alsleben; Sisters-In-Law, Marlys Katzenmeyer and her husband, Lyle, Elvera Scheurer and her husband, Thomas; Brothers-In-Law, Raymond Hoof, Vernon Hoof, Harold Hoof.