Lester Paschke

LESTER CARL PASCHKE, age 91, of Blue Earth, died Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at St. Lukes Lutheran Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 11:00 AM, at Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth, with Janet Crissinger Clark officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation time will be from 4:00-7:00PM Monday, February 10, 2014, at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street in Blue Earth, and one hour before the service at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comHe was born December 21, 1922, at Ogilvie, MN, the son of Fred & Emma (Wehsener) Paschke. The family moved to the Blue Earth area where they rented several farms, before settling SW of Blue Earth on the River Road farm. Lester grew up there attending country school through the 6th grade. He then attended the Blue Earth School graduating in 1940. He went on to the School of Agriculture in St. Paul graduating in 1942. He farmed with his father until enlisting in the United States Navy on Jan 12, 1945 until July 8, 1946. On September 28, 1946 he married Eulah Stover. Together they farmed on the River Road farm until 1950 when they moved to the Delavan area. They continued to farm until 1988 when they retired to Blue Earth. Lester was involved in many activities while on the farm and during retirement. He was a 4-H leader, on the Faribault County Fair Board for 40 years, Farm Bureau, MN Crop Producers, and MN Cattlemen''s Association. He showed cattle and hogs at many fairs and shows in the area. During retirement he belonged to the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and volunteered in many activities. He was a life member of Salem United Methodist Church, now Hope United Methodist Church, holding many positions at local and state levels.He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Jose of Malvern, PA, son, Charles (Katherine) Paschke of Arvada, CO, daughter, Joyce (David) Jose of North Oaks, MN, brother, Richard Paschke of Blue Earth, 7 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eulah, in 2013, parents, brother, Orval Paschke, and sisters, Verna Paschke and Alice Turbiville.