April 5, 1948 – February 11, 2026
Lester Leroy Ross, a devoted family man, veteran, and servant to his community, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Boone, Iowa, on February 11, 2026. He was 77. Lester was born on April 5, 1948, to Lester M. and Marie (Fisher) Ross.
Lester attended Trinity Lutheran School, graduating from the eighth grade in 1963, and went onto graduate from Boone High School in 1967. He continued his education at Des Moines Area Community College and later earned a Business degree from Western Illinois University.
Answering a call to serve, Lester enlisted in the United States Army and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was assigned to the 1st Signal Brigade and deployed to Da Bang, Vietnam, from 1968 to 1970 as part of the Forward Area Support Command. After his active-duty service, Lester continued to serve his county in the Iowa National Guard. During Operation Desert Storm, he was deployed to Kuwait. In total, he dedicated more than thirty-three years to military service and retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. He took deep pride in the soldiers he served alongside, and he remained steadfast in honoring the fallen- sharing daily remembrances of Iowa’s heroes on social media so their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
Lester’s faith and community were central to his life. He was active at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he found purpose in serving others. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and VFW, serving many leadership roles. He volunteered to sit with shut-ins and hospice patients, offering comfort and companionship. He also devoted many hours to supporting Honor Flights for veterans, and was fortunate to go on the flight himself in 2015, ensuring those who served had the chance to visit the memorial built in their honor. A lover of youth sports and the camaraderie they foster, Lester umpired countless Little League baseball and softball games, always encouraging young athletes and cheering them on. Above all, he cherished watching his children and grandchildren compete- rarely missing a chance to be on the sidelines.
Family was everything to Lester. He is survived by three sons, Joseph (Amy Joslin) Ross, Dustin (Erica) Ross, and Nathan (Rachel) Ross; and six grandchildren, Noah, Tucker, Harper, Colton, Lennox, and Dawson, and a special friend, Jane Brunette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie (Fisher) Ross and Lester M. Ross; two brothers, Donald Jaschke and John Ross; two aunts, JoAnn Onley and Ruth Hicks; and one uncle, William N. Ross.
Lester will be remembered for his steady kindness, his humility, and his unwavering devotion- to his faith, his country, and his family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the generations he inspired.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Lester by supporting local veterans’ organizations, donating to Trinity Lutheran Church, volunteering in your community, or attending a youth sporting even and cheering from the sidelines, just as Lester did with a full heart.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th Street, Boone, with Pastor Jessten Heimer officiating. Inurnment will be held at 10:30 AM at Boone Memorial Gardens, with a luncheon to follow at Trinity Lutheran.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone.
schroedermemorialchapel.com