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Connie Lester • 1947 - 2009 Connie Ann Lester was born October 31, 1947, a daughter of Francis and Rosella (Bloms) Bradley, in Minot, ND. She was raised in Lansford, ND, and attended Lansford public schools and Lansford High School. After her father's death in August of 1963, she moved with her mother to Minot, where she attended Bishop Ryan High School. She graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in 1965. Following her high school graduation, she attended Minot State College, where she received her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education in 1969. Connie began her teaching career in the Minot Public School system at Dakota Elementary at the Minot Air Force Base. Connie then met and married for all eternity, Daniel Lester June 19, 1971, at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot. They made their home at the Minot Air Force Base for a short time before being stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio, where she taught in Springfield, OH. They were then transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where she taught at La Purisma Catholic School. They were later transferred back to the Minot AFB, where she had taught at Roosevelt and Jefferson Elementary Schools, before moving away again and being stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, in Nebraska, where she had taught at Blessed Sacrament Elementary. After Daniel's retirement from the Air Force in 1988, they moved back to Minot, where she established the Kindergarten Educational Program at Our Redeemer's Christian School. This was her proudest accomplishment and she continued to teach Kindergarten at the school for the next 17 years. Due to her ill health, she was forced to retire in 2006, after 37 years of teaching. She had a love for children. The children she taught over the years, were like her own children to her. She was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Connie loved to travel and had been to 45 of the 50 states. She most enjoyed her two visits to Branson, MO. She particularly loved the old country and western music and spent many hours listening to them. She devoted a lot of time to reading the Bible and praying for others. Surviving family includes: husband of 38 years, Daniel, Minot; mother, Rosella Bradley, Minot; sister-in-law, Jean (John) Tashjian, Worcester, MA; brother-in-law, John Lester, Worcester, MA; aunts and uncles, Sally Linnertz, Mary Bloms, Martin and Alice Bloms, Daniel and Marise Bloms, and Loren and Bernice Redding, all of Minot; Garnet Bloms, Carpio, and Clarence and Lorraine Bloms, Mohall; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Connie was preceded in death by her father, Francis; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Mary (Kingus) Lester. Funeral: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Service Participants Music Honorary Bearers: Connie's family and friends Active Bearers: Shannon Kuntson, Cindy Sandeen, Mitchell Bloms, Keith Bloms, Garald Bloms, Jim Redding Following the graveside service, please join the family for a time of fellowship and lunch at the Knights of Columbus, located at 2601 N. Broadway. Our family would like to thank all of you for your many acts
of kindness. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated
during this difficult time. May God bless the memory of Connie. |
Connie
Lester, 61, Minot, ND, died Friday, August 21, 2009, in a Minot
hospital after long courageous battle with cancer.