Lester C. Burdine, 91, Austin

Published 10:16 am Friday, June 21, 2013

Lester C. Burdine, 91, of Austin, Minn., passed away at Sacred Heart Care Center on Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Lester Burdine

Lester was born on Dec. 14, 1921, in Lidderdale, Iowa, to William Bluford and Augusta (Heyn) Burdine. He graduated from Glidden High School (Carroll County) in Iowa in 1939. He was married to Anita Anne Riedesel on Aug. 16, 1942, in Prairie de Sac, Wis. Lester served two years in the Navy during World War II in San Diego, Calif., and worked as a medical lab technician. He moved to Churdan, Iowa, with his wife after being discharged from the Navy, where he owned a Phillips Gasoline bulk plant business. The family moved to Austin in 1951. He was employed by the George A. Hormel meat packing plant where he worked for 31 1/2 years before retiring.

Les and Anita spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church.

Les was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Scott, Wilbur (Jim) and Edward; sisters Ruby and Lillian; and daughter-in-law Delores (Miller) Burdine.

Lester is survived by his wife Anita Burdine, Austin; son and daughter-in-law Lloyd and Sandy Burdine, Rosemount, Minn.; daughters and sons-in-law Marlys and Wayne Rossow, Austin, Ronnelle and Dave Jaeger, Red Wing, Minn.; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marilee A. Benson officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday for one hour before the service. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.