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Lester King, Jr.

Lester “Sonny” King, Jr., 80, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019.

A memorial service for Lester will be held at Hauser Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019 at 7 p.m. with Pastor Russ Leeper from Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating.

Lester King, Jr.
Lester King, Jr.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. until the start of the service on Wednesday night at the funeral home.

Lester William King, Jr., the son of Lester William, Sr. and June Isabel (McDougal) King, was born June 30, 1938 in Charles City, Iowa. He received his education in Charles City graduating with the class of 1956. Lester entered the Air Force on August 28, 1956 and was honorably discharged on Aug. 25, 1960 after proudly serving his country.

Lester was united in marriage to Helga Wengenroth on July 18, 1960 in Darmstadt, Germany. The couple made their home in Charles City where they raised their family. Lester was a truck driver who worked for Ecker’s, Westway Trading, Ruan, Conway (where he worked as a supervisor behind a desk and didn’t like not being on the road) and most recently Anthony Bill Trucking. Trucking was such a big part of his life that he (along with every member of his family) had a CB handle which was “Rain Dancer.”

Lester was a member of a bowling league in Charles City and the Moose Lodge for a short time. He enjoyed assembling model cars, drawing (especially cartoons) and scratch-off lottery tickets (one of his favorite past-times).

Lester was a master woodworker who made and sold doll cradles, cedar chests, castles, jewelry boxes and countless other items to toy stores in Chicago through his company King Kradles. He even had an article written about his skilled work in a Chicago publication, something he was very proud to have accomplished. Lester loved all of his family and was proud of each and every one of their achievements in life.

Living family members include his wife, Helga of Charles City; four children: Jacquelyn M. Hefner of Romeoville, Illinois, Donna I. Roscoe of Kentwood, Michigan, Derrick W. (Dianne) King of Hemet, California and Jeannette R. (Gary) Finney of Floyd; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Kathleen Mae King of Oregon; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Gene Paul King and Carol Dean King.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

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