Lester Milton Weld, age 94, of Sweet Home passed away February 19th from complications with pneumonia. He was born on July 19, 1914 to Alta and Rollan Weld. He grew up on a farm near Bowdon, North Dakota.

Lester married Gladys Faye MacDonald on July 3, 1936. Together, they moved out west to pursue job opportunities. They first lived in Southern Idaho before moving to LaGrande, Oregon. There, he worked on a farm and later owned the LaGrande Sanitation service. They lived in LaGrande for nine years.

Lester and Faye were loving parents to their four boys: Truman, Sherman, Myron, and Alfred.

Lester and his family settled in Sweet Home and began Sweet Home Santitation in 1947. He bought the garbage franchise for $500. In 1949, he started the septic service business. He retired in 1979 and enjoyed traveling and working on his tree farm for many years.

He and Faye celebrated 57 years of marriage before she passed away on November 5, 1993. Lester married, Wilemina VanDermyden on June 25, 1994. He was 80 and she was 82 at the time. They were an inseparable couple and enjoyed gardening, cooking, and entertaining together.

Lester was a hard-working man and was known for his friendly nature and his trademark overalls.

Lester was part of a world-wide Christian fellowship and loved entertaining and helping others, always with an easy smile and generous spirit.

Lester is survived by his loving wife, Wilemina; his brother, Arnold Weld, and his wife, Leola, of Albany; sons, Truman Weld, and his wife, Elinor, of Albany, Sherman Weld, and his wife, Leslie Ann, of Sweet Home, Myron Weld, and his wife, Joann, of Prosser, Washington, and Alfred Weld, and his wife, Barbara, of Sweet Home; 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and countless relatives and friends who will miss him.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Faye; brothers, Clifford and Boyd, and sisters, Ruth Lien and Merle Krack.

A viewing will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 21, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 23, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling services.