Lester Dvorak

LESTER DVORAK

Cedar Rapids

Lester W. Dvorak, 88, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, March 11, 2016, at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. David Beckman. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military honors by American Legion Post 727 and Iowa National Guard Funeral Honor Guard.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne; sons, David (Janice) Dvorak and Dennis (Colleen) Dvorak; sister, Libby Rozinek; sister-in-law, Patricia Boddicker; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Lester was born Aug. 28, 1927, in Covington, Iowa, the son of Frank and Rose (Lorenc) Dvorak. He honorably served in the U.S. Army at the end of World War II and during the Korean conflict. On Aug. 27, 1949, he married Joanne Bruce in Cedar Rapids. Following his military service, Lester began as a carpenter apprentice for Bey Construction Co., eventually becoming a union carpenter. Later he worked for Morehead Construction. In 1959, he started in the building department for the city of Cedar Rapids, working as a building inspector. He retired as head plan checker after 29 years of service.

Lester enjoyed gardening, carpentry and playing bingo. Over the years he built at least eight houses and did many other projects across the city. This extra income was a way for his family to get ahead and have some savings. Lester also was a 50-plus-year member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank and Stan; and sisters, Lucille and Georgie.

Memorials are suggest to American Legion Post 727 in Cedar Rapids.

Please share your support and memories with Lester's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.