Lester L. Clark, 85, of Brookings, died Thursday, July 20, 2017, at the United Living Community.  

Private services will take place at a later date.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lester Lafayette Clark was born on July 24, 1931, in Ruthton, Minn., to Lafayette and Anna (Schirholz) Clark.  The family moved to South Dakota when Lester was 2 years old, and he grew up on a farm as one of four children.  Lester attended rural schools  throughout his youth, and Elkton City schools through the eighth grade, returning to work on the farm after he completed his education.  

In 1962, Lester met the love of his life, Verna, when the two were set up on a blind date together.  They attended a movie that evening, where they shared many laughs, eventually leading to their marriage on Sept. 29, 1962.  This year they would have celebrated 55 years together.

Lester held a number of jobs throughout his life, including working on a farm for 11 years, and working at the Sexauer Elevator for 10 years.  Lester helped build the Hawrysh Apartments, and managed them for over six years.  Finally, in his later years, Lester worked as a yard foreman at Peavey Lumber, from 1973 until it was sold.  

Throughout his life Lester enjoyed many hobbies and interests, including fishing, tending to his garden, cooking, reading books by his favorite author, Louis L’amour, and especially candy making.  Lester was a master at making peanut brittle, which he eagerly shared with his family and friends.  

Lester was also a veteran of the Korean war, as well as a member of the VFW for over 30 years, a member of the Elks Lodge for over 19 years, and was in the inactive reserves from 1953 until 1960.  

As a member of the Brookings congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lester was baptized on Oct. 18, 2008.  He greatly enjoyed his time spent with the congregation, where he was quickly named the “Candy Man,” by many of the younger members.  True to his kind and generous nature, Lester could always be found with his pockets full of candy, ready to share with everyone around him.  Lester was quick to make new friends, and enjoyed getting to know not only the congregations older members, but many of the younger members as well.  He will be greatly missed.

Lester is survived by his wife, Verna Clark, of Brookings; and 12 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister Marie Klosterman, of Spirit Lake, Iowa; brother Gerald Clark, of El Centro, Calif.; and a sister Darlene, who died in infancy.