Lester V. Wyland

Lester Vernon Wyland died after a long illness on March 7, 2010 in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, Minnesota.Lester Vernon Wyland was born December 5, 1918, in Hawley, MN, to Clarence and Gina Tweten Wyland. He graduated from Glyndon High School and began farming. The farming accident that resulted in the loss of his hand had an unexpected benefit; he met his future wife, Idella M. Nelson Bick, in St. Ansgar's Hospital, where she worked as a nurse. Lester and Idella married on May 25, 1942. They farmed north of Glyndon until retiring in Moorhead and McAllen, Texas.Lester loved farming and helped with harvest until well into his 80's. He was a skilled welder and invented many farm implement improvements. During the war, he went to the west coast to help with the ship building effort, as his hand injury prevented him from joining the military. He was active in the Glyndon School Board, the Glyndon Lutheran Church, and many charitable organizations. Playing bridge, croquet and shuffleboard were favorite hobbies of Lester's, and he was also a member of the Glyndon Rod and Gun Club. Les and Idella were enthusiastic members in a Streamline camper club for many years, traveling throughout the United States. They contributed to many organizations; Eventide, Concordia, Oak Grove and others were major beneficiaries of their generosity. Taking care of family was a big part of Lester's life, and he will be greatly missed.Les is survived by a daughter, Barbara Bick Doug Blair, of Redmond, WA, two brothers, Gordon Lois Wyland, Dilworth, MN, and Rodney Eunice Wyland, Pelican Rapids, MN, two grandchildren, Craig Wendy Blair, Glyndon, MN, and Tanya Blair Karl Riebeling, Seattle, WA, and three great-grandchildren, Marissa and Ian Blair, Glyndon, MN, and Hans Riebeling, Seattle, WA. Les and Idella also raised three foster children, Kathy Nybo, Chicago, IL, Keith Nybo, Lakeville, IN, and Ernie Nybo, Plymouth, IN, and had four additional grandchildren, Cindy Ed Zellem, Alexandria, VA, Jennifer Matt Vasey, Thomas Campuzano, Chicago, IL, and Alison Dan Dreibelbis, Plymouth, IN, and four great-grandchildren, Jack, Michael, and Susannah Zellen, Alexandria, VA, and Cheyenne Dreibelbis, Plymouth, IN.He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Idella, parents Clarence and Gina Wyland, sister Marjorie Wyland Williams, and brother Dean Wyland.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Glyndon Lutheran Church.