Lester B. Freund

Lester B. Freund, age 88, of Brothertown, died on September 28, 2023, at Homestead Health Services in New Holstein. He was born June 19, 1935, son of the late Edward and Jennie (Goeser) Freund. On May 9, 1964, he married Shirley Broeckel. They had 59 happy years together and they had three children. 

Lester started driving truck when he was 14, before he even had a license, and didn’t stop until he was 75. He was a hard worker, working with his dad until he started Les Freund Trucking, then he drove for Schaetzel Trucking, drove and was a salesman at DJ’s Used Trucks, and in retirement he drove part time for J&E Construction and G&H Trucking and Excavating. He could turn any conversation into a talk about trucking and talk about it for hours. 

Lester met Shirley at a wedding dance in Potter, not knowing she was only 16. When he found out, being 10 years her senior, he left her alone but Shirley chased him for a couple years. She says he finally gave up and let her catch him. They were the love of each others’ life, and he enjoyed his family more than anything else. 

Lester was a member at Holy Trinity in Jericho and then Good Shepherd Catholic Church, the Brothertown Fishing Club, the American Historical Trucking Society, and RS Vintage Steel. He liked going to car shows and was proud of his ’65 Mercury that he bought brand new. He enjoyed feeding the birds and birdwatching, feeding the cats around his home, sturgeon spearing, and gardening.

Lester is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley; his children: Connie (Tom) Krebsbach, Larry Freund (special friend, Deb Beyer), and Chuck Freund; two grandchildren: Stacy Krebsbach (fiancé, Adam Ecker), and Kelly Krebsbach (special friend, Casey Josephs); and nieces,  nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Jennie; sisters: Marian Freund and Valeria (Bernard) Kurscheidt; Shirley’s parents: Viola and Henry Broeckel; and Shirley’s siblings: Elmer (Ruth) Broeckel, Doris (Claude) Knaus, and LeRoy (Dorothy) Broeckel; special niece: Kathy Broeckel-Drews; and other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton. Friends may call from 10:00 am until 12:15 pm at the church on the day of service. 

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Calumet County Hospice, Homestead Health Services, visitors who came to see Lester, and nurse and family friend, Linda Karls.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in the name of Lester Freund.