Lester Merle Thomas, 97, of Owatonna, died on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at The Brooks. He was born May 23, 1929, in West Concord, the son of Merle and Etta (Erdman) Thomas. Lester grew up in West Concord before moving to Owatonna in 1949, where he married the love of his life, Ruth Olean Hillestad, on June 2, 1950, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Lester started working at Muckle Manufacturing for two years until he left to do carpentry work for Merrill Jensen. He also worked at National T - grocery store before landing his career at the Owatonna Public Utilities where he worked for over 32 years as a lineman and retired in 1986 as a Line Foreman. After "retiring", Lester worked part-time for NAPA as a parts delivery driver for 10 years. Following his retirement from NAPA, in 1996, Lester became the custodian for Our Savior's Lutheran Church until 2005.

Lester was an active member of the community; he maintained the Thompson Cemetery in Havana Township for 26 years, was a member of several committees at church and served as an usher, a member of Owatonna Eagles Aerie #1791 since 1983, and member of Sons of Norway for several years. He also spent numerous hours volunteering; as a Cub Scout leader, PTA McKinley School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and as a Semcac Driver for Meals on Wheels. When he wasn't engaged in the community, Lester enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, farming for Heers Farm for 30 years, and watching ALL the Owatonna High School sporting events.

He is survived by his children, Greg (and Darlene) of Pequot Lakes, Curt of Minnetonka, and Randi (and Steve) Dallmann of Carrollton, TX; grandchildren, Shauna (and Nathan) Magedanz, Molly (and Nick Bachelder) Dallmann, Maggie Dallmann (fiancé, Adam Dorety), Lauren (and Matt) Ellison, Shelby (and Miller) Harveaux, and Marshall (and Ashley) Thomas; 10 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Lucille Larson and Chuck (and Irene) Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; his siblings, Ray (and Dolly), Eugene (and Lucille), Joyce (and LeRoy) Engle, Lorraine (and Bill) Stetler, and John; and brother-in-law, Lew Larson.

Visitation will be from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with visitation one hour prior at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Interment will be in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Owatonna.

Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Owatonna Athletic Department, State School Orphanage Museum, or donor’s choice.