Haerther, Lester William

Lester William Haerther, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away from complications of pulmonary disease at his home on March 24, 2010, with his loving family nearby. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 29, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Jonathon Offt will officiate. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Private burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Surviving are his wife, Irene; children, Sandra Siepman and husband Steve of St. Louis, Mo., Diane Haynor and husband Charles of St. Paul, Minn., Dr. Steve Haerther and wife Sue of Chatsworth, Calif., and David Haerther of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Katie and Tom Siepman, Ben Haynor and spouse Charlsie, John and Nate Haynor, and Cody and Casey Haerther; a brother, Duane Haerther and wife Marguerite of Lincoln, Neb.; a sister, Verda Haerther of Atkins; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three infant sisters.

Les was born March 26, 1923, in rural Atkins, the son of C.W. and Marie M. (Fox) Haerther. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. He married Irene M. Pingel on Sept. 26, 1945, in Keystone, Iowa.  He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1950, with membership in the Tau Beta Pi and Phi Tau Sigma honors fraternities. He was employed for over 40 years as an engineer at Rockwell Collins, retiring in 1982. Following retirement he was involved with Rockwell Collins Retirees and Volunteers organization, as well as the REACT organization that refurbished computers for use in schools. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was involved with the men's chorus, and was a past member of the Trinity Lutheran school board. He was also a member of the VFW and Boy Scouts of America. He was honored with the Governor's Award for Volunteer Services.

 Les enjoyed woodworking, electronics, home improvement, and completing creative projects for family and friends. He will forever be remembered as being able to fix anything.

Les lived a quiet, generous, and humble life of service to his Lord, his family, his friends, and to the many people who benefited from his volunteer work.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church – Organ Fund, or to a charity of the donor's choosing.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Les' family on the Web page,    under obituaries.