Lester E. Perry

Lester E. Perry March 22, 2005 Lester E. Perry, age 93, of Viola, died March 22, 2005, at the Sannes-Skogdalen nursing home in Soldiers Grove. He was born December 11, 1911 at Plainfield, Wisconsin, the son of Harrell and Madge (Green) Perry. He married Phyllis Hunter July 26, 1936 in Caledonia, Minnesota. Lester served in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees on the island of Guam during World War II. For most of his life, he was a mechanic in the Viola, La Farge and Richland Center areas, and worked at Northern Engraving (Decomet) in Sparta in later years. Two infant children, Sandra Jean and Charles Kenneth; his parents; his brother Frank, brothers-in-law Jacob White, Jack Hunter and Bill Hunter, and a son-in-law, Ardith Sutherland, preceded Lester in death. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, of Viola; 4 children, Carolyn Sutherland, rural Viola; Rod (Helen) of Richland Center; Joanne Sumwalt (John) of Wauwatosa; and Marsha Koch (John) of Columbus; 12 grandchildren: Ellyn Paul (Larry); Steven Sutherland (Betsy); Andrew Sutherland (Ginny Payne); Ronald Sutherland (Joan); Phyllis Gilbertson (Randy); Jeff Perry (Andrea); Greg Perry (Stacy Thompson); Amy Clark (Mike); Sarah Koch; Christopher Koch (Stacey); Kathryn Hornickel (Mark); and Orrin Sumwalt; 18 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. Also surviving are 5 sisters-in-law: Marian Perry of Madison; Jeanne Chauvette and Lorraine White, both of Viola; Lucy Ellen Hunter of Fort Atkinson and Margaret Hunter of Madison; and one brother-in-law, Herbert (Mary Ann) Hunter of Wisconsin Rapids. Lester was "Mr. Fixit" to his family and neighborhood, often making his own parts, etc. to repair just about anything that was broken. He was a gunsmith for many years, and an avid hunter, shooter and re-loader, as well as a collector of all types of firearms. When his infirmities no longer allowed pursuit of that hobby, he sold his guns and confined most of his interest to working with wood and making clocks. Every child and grandchild has one of his handcrafted items. To his final days, he displayed a great interest in his family and their activities. He was a great lover of dogs, as well, and owned many over his lifetime. In the past couple of years, his hands and arms didnt work very well. But we know he is now somewhere petting each one of his doggies! The family suggests that any memorials be made to either the Kickapoo Rescue Squad, or the Vernon County Humane Society. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Henthorn Memorial Center, 129 S. Main St., Viola, Wis. Pastors Doris Clark and John Sumwalt will officiate. Burial, with military rites by Hamilton-Harris American Legion Post #447 will be in the Viola Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday at the Henthorn Memorial Center after 12:00 noon. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, Viroqua, is serving the family.