Lester Eugene Ammondson

One day before the 69th anniversary of his wedding day, the Lord Jesus took Lester Eugene Ammondson to his eternal home on September 10, 2024. 

Lester was the third of four sons, and he was born in the family home in Fairfield, Montana, on August 29, 1930. As Lester grew up, the Great Depression was in full swing, and life in those days was humble and lean. 

During those hard years, he learned much about hard work, honesty, integrity, compassion, generosity, and the value of a dollar, along with the love of God and family. Throughout his life, Lester demonstrated these traits. He didn’t complain about his early years. “We didn’t know anything different. Everyone was in the same boat,” he would say. 

Lester graduated from Fairfield High School in 1948 and soon enlisted in the Army in 1950. He served as a tank commander. He ended his military service in 1953 while serving in Alaska “watching the Russians,” he said. 

After the Army, Lester went to Montana State College and in 1956 he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. During college, he met and soon married the lovely Alice J. Lemmer on September 11, 1955, in Great Falls. 

After college, he began his career with the Montana Power Company in July 1956 as an electrical engineer. He held many positions with the Montana Power Company even climbing a few power poles. He ended his career working as the Division Manager of Missoula in January 1992. 

Lester was active in his church and also in civic organizations over the years. He loved to spend time with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, boating, traveling, playing horseshoes and cards with friends and also working in his yard. He especially enjoyed spending time at Swan Lake and Flathead Lake. 

 He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice, in 2015. Also preceding him were his parents John and Gladys (Thornton) Ammondson, brothers and sisters-in-law; Clayton (Natalie) Ammondson, Ralph (Shirley) Ammondson, Curtis (Betty) Ammondson, sister-in-law Barbara Thompson and niece, Pamela Ammondson. 

Survivors include his sons, Gregory (Maureen) and Mark (Cindy) and grandchildren, Kinsey (Kevin) Corwin, Kelsey (Mason) Mastel, and Zoe’ Ammondson, and great grandchildren, Colt and Remi Corwin. He also had many nephews and nieces whom he loved and appreciated. 

 Special warm thanks and appreciation go out to the management and staff of the wonderful St. Thomas House in Missoula where Lester lived happily the last few years of his life. This House is a very special place. 

 A funeral service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3718 Rattlesnake Drive, Missoula, Montana, on Thursday, September 19 at 11:30 am. There will be public viewing from 10:30 am to 11:15 am. A light lunch will be offered at about 12:15 pm. Afterwards, a graveside service and interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula at 2:30 pm. 

 Memorials may be given to Messiah Lutheran Church or to St. Thomas House (Please make checks payable to Senescence Care, Charitable Foundation, 3000 ST Thomas Drive, Missoula, MT 59803).