Dr. Malcolm James Lester

Malcolm James Lester, Jr. was born on October 4, 1923 in St. James, MN to Malcolm Sr. and Lillian (Grundeen) Lester. He graduated from St. James High School in 1941. Mac attended college at Macalester in the pre-med acceleration program. In 1942 he joined the US Navy in the B-12 program and was sent to boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Mac served active duty in the Navy in 1943 at Pearl Harbor. He was then a Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class stationed at the US Navy Hospital, Great Lakes. He graduated from the Louisville Medical School in 1947 and served a one year internship at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. In July of 1950, Mac started his medical practice in Truman, MN. He served in the Korean War from 1952-1954 and had one year duty as Senior Medical Officer. He returned to Truman in 1954 to resume his medical practice for an additional 56 years. Malcolm married Leona Mitchell in 1947. They later divorced. He married Karen Moore in 1973. Mac was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman where he was on the building committee. He worked on the building of the Truman School; worked on many medical committees throughout the states; served as the Medical Director for the Truman emergency squad and the Lutheran Retirement Home and was Chief of Staff in 1970; and worked on building the Fairmont Community Hospital (current site). Malcolm always enjoyed his vacations at Leech Lake in Northern Minnesota-fishing, sailing and boating. He enjoyed spending time with his family and also his grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his caring touch and his words of wisdom. He proudly served the Truman community and surrounding communities for 56 years and will be greatly missed. Malcolm is survived by his wife, Karen of Madelia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Diana Lester of Irvine, CA, Roger and Holly Lester of Burnsville, MN; one daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie and Clem Bielefeld of Robbinsdale, MN; two step sons, Kevin Moore and wife Sheila of Trimont, Brent Moore and wife Jennifer of Zumbrota, MN; one step daughter, Melissa Helgason and husband Steve of Byron, MN; several grandchildren and step grandchildren; one brother, Dr. John Lester and wife Molly of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister-in-law, Helen Lester of Green Valley, AZ; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Leona; one son, Scott; and two brothers, Dr. Russell Lester and Dr. Gordon Lester. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund.