Lester D. Pemble

Lester Dale Pemble, age 74, passed away peacefully at his home October 13, 2022 with his wife Carla by his side. Les was the son of Dale and Dena (Groen) Pemble. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2022 at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Les was born November 15, 1947 in Granite Falls, MN and grew up in Walnut Grove. Les graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1965. In the fall of 1965 he joined the U.S. Navy and was in San Diego, California, for his basic training. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA, and was on two attack cargo ships – the USS Thuban and the USS Uvalde. He was honorably discharged in November 1968. In 1974 he became a member of the Alfred Nelson Post #267 in Walnut Grove and has remained a member for the last 48 years since joining. On June 24, 1967, he was married to the love of his life, Carla Ann Iversen, at the Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin, MN. They were blessed with two children, Kim Marie and Kurtis Dale Pemble. Les was gifted in many trades. He worked at the Westbrook Lumber Yard and Solar Gas Co. in Westbrook. They later moved to Walnut Grove and Les started working with Trailer Repair in Lamberton. In 1981 he started his own business repairing semi-trailers, keeping truckers’ and farmers’ equipment on the road. He had welding equipment on his truck and traveled to the customers for their convenience. In 2015, Les was diagnosed with lung cancer and he retired that year. He enjoyed visiting different casinos, playing cards, and getting with friends. He could never sit still, and would always be keeping busy with projects at the house with Carla at his side. Les was a perfectionist in the work he did. All of his projects were done well and made to last. With retirement, he started HITS Vending, which he co-owned with his best friend Mark Harris. His biggest joy was Carla though. They were inseparable through life and into retirement with painting, yard work, fixing up the house or even just shopping. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren along with his nieces and nephews.

Les is survived by his wife Carla; children: Kim (David) Phillips, and Kurtis (Amy) Pemble; grandchildren: Kaden, Matthew (Meghanlee), Kayliann, Jariah, Jindelee, Lauren, Danielle, and Aiden; great-grandchildren: Mariella and Magdalene; sisters: Diane (Jim) Shaw, Carol (Steve) Schneider, JoAnn Timmers and Teri (Leo) Kashmarek; brother: Mark Harris; brother-in-law John (Gloria) Doubler; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Janice Doubler and Donna Rathje; brothers-in-law: Doug Rathje, Brad Munson, and Bill Timmers; nephew Robert Shaw; niece Nichole Rathje; and great-nephew Landon Caranta. Blessed be his memory.