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Lester Frassel, age 86, of Bird Island, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Golden Living Center in Olivia.

Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. George Schmit as celebrant. Burial is in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bird Island.

Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation continues Saturday at the funeral home from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Lester Frassel was born on June 24, 1923 in Fairfax, MN, the son of John and Catherine Frassel. Hetraveled the countryside of Minnesota, never afraid of venturing out to use any - or all - of the gravel roads; it was a kind of adventure for him to find his way around. His sense of direction was remarkable; he, of course, was never lost and always knew "exactly" where he was. Les met many, many friends along his travels; there were few places one could go where at least one person didn't know Les Frassel. Les never forgot a name or a face; he always enjoyed seeing his friends, old and new - and reliving old memories.

Left to cherish his memories and remember his stories are, his children, John (and Betsy) Frassel of Bullhead City, AZ, Betty (and Dean) Schreiner of Gibbon, Donna (and Richard) Strey of Bird Island, Barb (and Kim) Mechura of Burnsville, Jim (and Tracey) Frassel of Maiden Rock, WI; his son-in-law, Frank Heinen of Grinnell, IA and son-in-law, Marshal Undesser of Olivia; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Lorraine (and Fabe) Sheehan and Tootie van der Hagen both of Bird Island and Helen Sheehan of Winsted.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Frassel; his parents John and Catherine Frassel; his daughters, Jean Heinen, Mary Lou Frassel and Teresa Undesser; sister, Ceil; brother-in-law Ray Albrecht; and brothers-in-law, John Sheehan and Bernie van der Hagen.

Blessed Be His Memory