Lester Milford Michelson, 82, passed away on Saturday, December 9, at CLC Norwalk.

Lester was born to Jacob and Dena (Johnson) Michelson and grew up in Huxley where he farmed with his father for several years. During this time, he married Helen Louise Pratt at the West Des Moines Christian Church in 1950. They farmed for a year before moving to Des Moines.

Lester worked at Des Moines Steel Plant, while living and farming in the Hartford area. Then he returned to West Des Moines where he continued to work for Des Moines Steel. He later left and went to work for the West Des Moines School District as a custodian, retiring in 1986.

Lester loved woodworking, making various types of furniture. He was a member of the Lions Club of West Des Moines and a long time member of the West Des Moines Christian Church.

He will be missed by his wife, Helen; daughter, Sue Haltom (Terry) of Urbandale; two grandsons, Jeffrey and Ryan, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Erma Rutter, Caroline Rolfe, Javerna Heggen, and Alvina Hall.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at West Des Moines Christian Church. Visitation will be at Brooks Funeral Care – University Chapel in Clive on Monday, December 11, where the family will be present from 5:30 to 7 p.m.