Frank Edwin Lester

Frank Edwin Lester, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026. He was 88 years old—and, as he would say, “28 years older than dirt.

”Frank was born on November 27, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Frank and Jeanette Lester. A proud Midwesterner at heart, he lived in Ottumwa, Iowa; Galesburg, Illinois; Bellevue, Nebraska; and later in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

A small-town boy from Iowa, Frank never lost his love for a corny joke (pun intended) or his habit of calling his granddaughters “purdy.” He was endlessly kind and incredibly handy—there was nothing he wouldn’t fix for someone in need. He spent 40 years working as a locomotive engineer and built multiple homes with his own two hands.

Frank was a natural talker who never met a stranger. He thrived on connection, routine, and community, much of which he found through the Catholic Church. He lived for life’s simple joys and a little mischief—whether that meant riding across Iowa five times with his RAGBRAI team, playing daily tennis matches, enjoying bridge with his ladies, or gathering for happy hour at the “big house.” For his 80th birthday, he celebrated in true Frank fashion—surrounded by 100 of his closest friends at Wrigley Field, cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs.

Family was always at the center of Frank’s life. He was married to the love of his life, Betty Lester, for 65 years—and, by his count, approximately 2,000 hands of bridge. Together, they raised four children and later traveled the world, including attending all four tennis Grand Slams. As Frank liked to say, “not bad for a couple of farm kids.” Home was wherever they were together—from winters in Jamaica to their later years in South Carolina.

Frank found happiness in the simplest things: Betty’s homemade pizza (and later, a Costco hot dog), endless bowls of ice cream, watching tennis, cheering for the Chicago Cubs, and following Caitlin Clark. His college allegiances were flexible—he proudly supported Iowa, Nebraska, and Iowa State, depending entirely on which sweatshirt his kids had most recently gifted him. If he were being honest, seeing the Cubs win the 2016 World Series may have been the greatest joy of his life (with apologies to his children).

Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Lester; his son, Steve Lester; his parents; and his sister, Joanne Smith. He carried their memory with him always and wore Betty’s cross around his neck until he left this world to be reunited with her.

He is survived by his children: Connie Harvey and her husband, Piers; Cathy Jensen and her husband, Kevin; and Jennifer La Rocca and her husband, Paul. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Jerelyn Ramsey Lester, and his sister, Mary Ann Blumer and her husband, Karl.

Frank was a proud grandfather to Mikayla, Alex, Brianna, Bailee, Stephanie, Zac, Emma (also his roommate and fellow Heartland enthusiast), Ben, and Samantha, and a delighted great-grandfather to Cameron, Kieran, Kiley, and Mia, who brought him endless joy.

In his final months, Frank was lovingly cared for by Leisha, whose kindness and compassion meant so much to him and his family.

Frank will be deeply missed and forever remembered through stories, laughter, and the many things he built—both with his hands and with his heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share your favorite Frank story—he would have preferred that anyway (though he might have also suggested a pretty dress).

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association. Donations can be made online at www.als.org or mailed to: ALS Association1300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600 Arlington, VA 22209

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation ~ Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.