Lester was born near Roscoe on Oct. 19, 1925, to Emma (Albrecht) and Robert Kilber. He was raised on the family farm and formally educated at the Lutheran School in Bowdle, the Glover Township Rural School, the Lutheran Academy in Mobridge and graduated from Roscoe High School in 1944. Lester was employed at Scherf's Super Valu in Roscoe before returning to work on the farm.
Lester married Lenora Scheid on Oct. 12, 1947, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Roscoe. Lester and Lenora made their home on the Kilber homestead, where they operated a dairy farm for 54 years and raised their family of seven children. Lester retired in 2001 and moved from the farm to Bowdle. Lester was a resident of the Bowdle Nursing Home since July 2012.
In his early years, Lester played catcher for the Roscoe baseball team. Lester and Lenora enjoyed league bowling and square dancing. Lester was a longtime Glover Township board member and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council. Since moving to Bowdle, Lester attended St. John's Lutheran Church and was active at the Bowdle Senior Center. Lester loved to share a joke or tell a good story to anyone who would listen. He attended many local sporting events and was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. Lester was hardworking, honest and was proud of his family.
Lester is survived by Lenora, his wife of 65 years; his children: Carmen Kilber of Andover, Minn., Corrine (Clarence) Heinz of Boise, Idaho, Carla (Leroy) Beitelspacher of Bowdle, Cornel (Joani) Kilber of Grand Forks, N.D., Cindy (Darwin) Rohrbach of Roscoe, Craig (Terrie) Kilber of Eagan, Minn. and Clint Kilber of Chicago, Ill.; brothers and sisters: Arlo (Jan) Kilber of Wahpeton, N.D., Ramona (Milbert) Voegele of Watertown, Robert (Bernice) Kilber of Highmore, Jean (Don) Voegele of San Diego, Calif., Donna (Marv) Schreck of Omaha, Neb., and Delbert (Melanie) Kilber of Sioux Falls; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Lester was preceded in death by his father on Jan. 13, 1979; his mother on Jan. 29, 1952; two brothers: Calvin on June 12, 1997, and Rupert in infancy.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Roscoe, with the Rev. Winfried Schroeder officiating. Organist will be Carol Schroeder and ushers will be Gideon Schuh and Melvin Himmerich.
Honorary bearers will be grandchildren: Jill Fitzer and Jeff Heinz of Boise, Erika Mischke of Bellevue, Neb., Andrea Rohrbach of Aberdeen, Meghan Kilber of Grand Forks, N.D., and Kelsie Kilber and Riley Kilber of Eagan; and great-grandchildren: Brock and Logan Kilber, Katherine and Elizabeth Fitzer, Alana, Cade, Alexa, Cole and Brody Beitelspacher, and Braxton and Chloe Mischke.
Casketbearers will be grandsons: Ryan Kilber of Chandler, Ariz., Brent Beitelspacher, Colin Beitelspacher and Brandon Beitelspacher, all of Bowdle; and godsons: LeRoy Kilber of Ipswich and Stan Kolb of Aberdeen.
Funeral home visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with family present from 5 to 6 p.m. Viewing resumes 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.
To leave an online condolence or to view the tribute video, please visit MillerLienFH.com.
Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle, is in charge of arrangements.