Lester J. LaRose
Lester J. LaRose of Ste. Genevieve died on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at Ste. Genevieve Care Center. He was 85 years old.
He was born February 26, 1934, in Bloomsdale, a son of Theresa (Grass) LaRose and William J. LaRose Sr.
He is survived by one daughter, Gail Zoellner and her husband Steve of Perryville; two sons, Wes LaRose of Ste. Genevieve, Glen LaRose of Perryville; one sister, Estelle Spraul of Ste. Genevieve; one sister-in-law, Diana LaRose of Bloomsdale; seven grandchildren, Matthew Zoellner and his wife Anna, Jill Holzum and her husband Kevin, Lynn Payne and her husband Jacob, Maria Eilers and her husband Jake, Jessica LaRose, Alexandria Lueders and her husband Dan, Jenna LaRose; seven great-grandchildren, Agustus, Samantha, Zoey, Connor, Charlotte, Zachary, Liam, and two on the way.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann (Vaeth) LaRose; second wife, Georgiann T. (Grass) LaRose; and one brother, William LaRose Jr.
He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1955 until 1963 as a SP5. He served in Korea from April 1957 until October 1958.
He was a member of Bloomsdale Knights of Columbus Council 1848 for 64 years (life member) and was on the board of directors. He also was a member of Ste. Genevieve Elks. He was a life member and past commander of American Legion Post 554 in Bloomsdale and a life member of VFW Post 2210. He served three years on the Ste. Genevieve County Health board. He was a member of the Bloomsdale Athletic Club and president for 7 years. He was a member of the Zell Weingarten Deer Club since 1963. He was a Bloomsdale Bank Building and Equipment Co. installer for 13 years. He served three years on the Bloomsdale Senior Citizens Board of Directors. He was president of the State of Missouri Society of Hospital Engineers for two years. He was a member of the Zell Jaycees for more than 25 years. For six years he was an assistant leader of Boy Scout Troop 410 in Bloomsdale.
He was active in sports, especially fast-pitch softball and umpiring.
He was known for his support and love of Purple Martins and he loved to hunt, fish, cook and garden. He loved his family very much and will be missed by all who knew him.
Visitation was scheduled to be 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, and 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, at Basler Funeral Home in Ste. Genevieve. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, at St. Agnes Church in Bloomsdale. Rev. Michael Benz and Deacon Jim Basler will officiate. Burial will be at St. Agnes Cemetery in Bloomsdale with military services performed by VFW Post 2210. Basler Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to St. Agnes School or Masses.
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