Donald Wester

Donald Dean Wester, 84, passed away Thursday afternoon, April 7, 2016, at his home in Moorhead, Minnesota, following a long battle with cancer, with his wife of 61 years by his side.
Donald was born May 5, 1931 to Donald and Ferne Noland Lockin in Cherokee, Iowa. He had many good memories of life on the farm there with his mother, Ferne, his adoptive father, Christopher Wester, and his four younger sisters. In 1947, Donald moved with his family to Wyoming, graduating the following year from Gillette High School. In 1949 the family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. There he met his bride, Lois Marie Morris, the minister’s daughter who frequently accompanied him on the piano when he sang in church services. Donald enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. He was stationed in Guam during the Korean War. He married Lois on September 12, 1954. He moved his family overseas and to several states before retiring as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. In 1970 he returned to the farm life he loved, moving his family to Fosston, Minnesota where he farmed for 40 years. He and Lois moved in 2010 to Moorhead, MN.
Donald had a beautiful voice and throughout his life he sang for weddings, funerals and other events. He had a passion for reading and gaining knowledge, and loved to talk politics, history and the Bible. In his later years he enjoyed woodworking in his workshop, making gifts for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his wife, Lois; four children: Camilla Arlo Leedahl, Michael Donna Wester; Susan Robert Neideck, and Patrick Dawn Wester; ten grandchildren, Jonathan Adie Leedahl, Melody Tommy Overman, Peter Lindsay Leedahl, Joshua Elizabeth Wester, Sarah Cameron Klingenberg, Rachel Neideck, Annie Neideck, Kara Jon Cook, Lisa Wester and Andrew Wester; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Carolyn Galloway, Collette McWilliams, Claudia Norton, Christie Larry Greenich; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog, Chloe. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Luke Donald Wester.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Brookdale Baptist Church in Moorhead. Interment will be at a later date at The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
Memorials may be given to the missionary aviation work of Donald’s grandson, Jonathan Leedahl: New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First St., Sanford, FL 32771-1487. Make your check payable to “New Tribes Mission” and include a note that ways your gift is for Jonathan