Lester Beyer, 96 of Montezuma passed away Sunday morning, June 18, 2017 at the Montezuma Specialty Care in Montezuma. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Community Hope Church in Montezuma with Pastor David Pinkerton officiating. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Montezuma Fire Department, Davis-Story American Legion Post #733 in Malcom or the Blakely-Stevens American Legion Post #169 in Montezuma.

Lester Orville Beyer, the son of Geurt and Hattie (Ver Steegh) Beyer, was born on May 3, 1921 near Taintor, Iowa. He attended Searsboro School and farmed with his father and brothers. On November 28, 1942, Lester enlisted with the United States Army serving as a rifleman in Central Europe. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Lester continued to farm. He married Mary Adeline Schultz on January 5, 1950. Lester was a lifelong farmer and farmed near the Forest Home area south of Montezuma. Following Mary's death, he married Mary Carter on March 5, 1979. Lester enjoyed socializing. He enjoyed a good conversation and especially loved to visit with family and friends. He enjoyed dancing, watching parades and above all attending family reunions to see all of his nieces and nephews. Lester was a member of the Davis-Story American Legion Post #733 in Malcom.

He is survived by his step children, Gary (Marcia) Schultz of Whitewrite, TX, Mark (Alicia) Schultz of Lincoln, Iowa and Julia (Mike) Cox of Montezuma; six step grandchildren, Michael (April Ewing) Cox, Mark (Donna) Schultz, Jamie Schultz, Logan Suntken, Matt (Melissa) Ogan and Dana (Matt) Newton; 10 step great grandchildren; a brother, Earl (Geraldine) Beyer of Searsboro and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Mary Adeline Schultz Beyer and Mary Alice Carter Beyer; a granddaughter, Amy Cox; four brothers, Dale Beyer, Glen Beyer, Richard Beyer, Melvin Beyer and two sisters, Helen Willemsen and Margret Sparks.