Lester “Festus” William Niemeier, 73, of Norwalk, WI, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at the Trempealeau County Health Care Center in Whitehall, Wis.
He was born Oct. 14, 1940, in West Salem, Wis., to Carl H. and Amanda C. (Beier) Niemeier. Lester was baptized Nov. 3, 1940, and confirmed April 3, 1955, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Salem. In April 1957, he moved to Norwalk. He worked on the railroad for seven years, and then worked at Heilman Feed Mill and did odds-and-ends jobs for the bars and farmers in Norwalk.
Lester was the kind of beloved man who brought small-town character to the community of Norwalk. He dazzled people with a trick, placing his earlobes in his ear and popping them out one by one.
Lester is survived by his sisters, Betty (Emery) Leis, Donna (Ed) Wilde and Ruby Willet; his brothers, James (Janis) Niemeier, Glen (Peggy) Niemeier, and Gordon (Kathy) Niemeier; a brother-in-law, Lyle Rueckheim; a sister-in-law, Laura Niemeier; and many nieces, nephews, great-niece and great nephews, other relatives and friends.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, David and Calvin; his sisters, Evelyn (Eugene) Stemwedel and Fern Rueckheim; and his brothers-in-law, Frank and Louis Willet.
Funeral services were Saturday, June 21, at St. Jacob’s Evangelical Church in Norwalk, with Pastor Matthew Minzlaff officiating. Burial followed in Pilgrims Home Cemetery in rural Norwalk.
The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
