Lester Laqua

Lester Louis Laqua, age 71, of Lake City passed away Thursday, October 6, at his residence. He was born May 7, 1940 in Gillford Township in Wabasha County, the son of Leo and Viola (Shultz) Laqua. He graduated from Wabasha High School. After spending a year working on the family farm he joined the Air Force and spent four years as an air craft mechanic. On May 5, 1962, he married Flora Breland. They had two children, Lester Jr. and Vincent. They were divorced in August 1972. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1963 he worked in the oil fields and on Aircrafts for several years. In 1972 he returned to the family farm where he farmed until 1983, when he became ill with French Polio. On July 28, 1973 he married Shirley Marie Hanson. They had three children, Carey, Corey, and Cameron.
In May of 1986 he began working as a custodian at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He retired after 21 years of service in May 2007. Lester also worked many odd jobs including lawn mowing, cleaning church, snow removal, and other handyman jobs. He was also a master rosette maker. He was a member of Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church and the Eagles Club. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Lake City; four sons, Lester Jr. of Jena, La, Vincent (Ronnie) of San Antonio, TX, Corey (Becky) of Lake City, and Cameron (Stephanie) of Rochester; one daughter, Carey (Trent) of Coon Rapids, MN. Lester was a proud grandparent of Resa, Isaac, Chase, Serena, Aubrey, and Tiana with another grandchild to arrive in February. He also is survived by a sister, Carol (John) Clemens of Mazeppa, sister-in-law, Norma and niece Sara of Lewiston, and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister, and a niece.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 13 at Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Tim Learman officiating. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #110. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City with an Eagle Prayer service at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the Church. Memorials are preferred to the Eagles Cancer Telethon. Online condolences can be sent at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com