Lester zumBrunnen

Les zumBrunnen, 94, Dickinson, died Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at St. Benedict?s Health Center, Dickinson. Funeral services will be 10 a. m. Monday, June 30, 2003, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson, with the Reverends Steve Tangen and Pat Higgins officiating. Interment will be in Dickinson Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be Sunday at Price-Murphy Funeral Home from noon to 9 p. m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p. m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Les zumBrunnen was born February 12, 1909, in Green County, Wisconsin to Edward and Ida Anna Emma (Schmerse) zumBrunnen. At the age of six he moved with his family to South Dakota. After graduating from Huron High School, he was employed by North Western Public Service Company. He worked in Redfield, SD and in September, 1936, transferred to Dickinson. In 1945, Montana Dakota Utilities Company purchased the electric system. Les later became their chief accountant and remained with MDU until his retirement in 1974. On July 8, 1939, Les married Fern Haagenstad in Dickinson. Fern passed away on November 27, 1993. Les had been active in Jaycees, Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scandinavian Group, active in the Service Corps of Retired Executives, past-exalted ruler of the Elks 1137 and secretary of the Elks for 30 years. He served on the Joachim Museum Board, the Dickinson Cemetery Board, the Stark County Housing Authority, the Dickinson Sportsman?s Club and was a Deacon at St. John Lutheran Church for three terms. He enjoyed his flower garden (especially roses), hunting and fishing. Les is survived by four children: daughter, Jane (Roger) Hilsendager, Chandler, Ariz. ; sons, James (Jolette), Fort Collins, CO, Richard (Jeannine), Baxter, MN, and John (Susan), Atlanta, GA; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and brother Clarence, Huron, SD. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern; parents; infant son, William; son, Thomas and 11 brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers the family prefers a memorial to either St. John Lutheran Trust Fund or Badlands Ministries.


Burial Date: June 30, 2003
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service; Monday, St John Evangelical Lutheran Church