Lester R. Gudgeon

Lester R. Gudgeon passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 95. Lester was born on March 17, 1931, in Vernon County, the son of Rev. Lester and Mary E. Gudgeon. He graduated from West Lima High School in 1950 and attended one year of Bible College. Lester entered the U.S. Navy in 1951, serving on a ship until 1955. He met his wife, Nadine “Jan” in California. He worked for 22 years at the San Mateo Racetrack in California as a supervisor until he retired. In 1994, they moved to Reno, Nevada until Jan’s death in 2000. In 2002, Lester moved back to Wisconsin where he was reunited with his former friend, Avanelle Major.

Survivors include Avanelle Major; one niece; five nephews and many relatives and friends.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Mary E. Gudgeon; his wife, Jan; three sisters, Edna (Lee) Miller, Virginia (Berlie) Wallace, and Maxine (Elmer) Stanek; and one brother, Raymond (Rebecca) Gudgeon.

A Funeral Service for Lester will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the La Farge Free Methodist Church. Pastor Andrew Kessler will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home in La Farge. Additional visitation will be held Tuesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Bear Creek Cemetery. 

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Lester's family,

203 N. State St.

La Farge, WI 54639

608-625-4244