Lester Aspegren

Former Hastings resident, Lester Woodrow Aspegren, 97, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2009 at St. John's Good Samaritan Care Center in Kearney, Nebraska.

Services will be Wednesday, December 16, 2009; 1:30 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Hastings with Pastor Alan Davis officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 15, 2009; 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. with family present from 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home, and 1 hour prior to service at the First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church of Hastings or Hastings Valley Scottish Rite Foundation.

Lester was born December 3, 1912 in Saronville, Nebraska to Edward & Rose (Lovgren) Aspegren. He grew up in Clay County and attended school there. He married Dorothy Slater on May 2, 1936 in Mankato, Kansas. She preceded him in death in 2008. Four children were born to this union. He farmed, worked in construction, and later was employed for many years by the United States Navy at the Navy Ammunition Depot of Hastings where he was a top line supervisor in the production of ammunition. After the closing of the depot, he sold life insurance for more than 30 years. He lived in Clay Center from 1940 until he moved to Hastings in 1962. In November of 2009 he moved to the St. John's Good Samaritan Care Center in Kearney, Nebraska. He served on the Clay Center Public School Board, Clay County Fair Board, and Clay County and Adams County Chapters of the Red Cross. He was General Secretary of the Hastings Scottish Rite Valley for 14 years in Hastings following his retirement from the insurance business. He became a member of the Methodist Church in 1926. He was a member of the Midwest Lodge #317 A.F. & A. M., Order of the Eastern Acacia Star Chapter 39, 33� Degree Scottish Rite and Tehama Temple, all of Hastings. He enjoyed sports and hunting in his younger years. He was very proud of his family and all they aspired to do.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Aspegren; parents; four sisters; one brother; one daughter-in-law; and a great-grandson.

Survivors include:
Daughter & Son-in-law : Colleen & Larry Jacobson - Riverdale, NE
Sons & Daughters-in-law : Larry Aspegren & Nina Selby - Newport Beach, CA
Lyle & DeeDee Aspegren - Cave Creek, AZ
Lowell Aspegren - Omaha, NE
Grandchildren : 11
Great-Grandchildren : 18
Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and friends .