Robert Roe Lesan

Notes:

Robert Roe Lesan, oldest son of Glenn Edward and Mabel Regina Butler Lesan, was born August 4, 1921 in the Leasonville Community in Ringgold County. He passed away at the Ringgold County Hospital on July 1, 1998.

He attended rural schools near his home and was graduated from the Mount Ayr High School in 1938. He graduated from A.I.B. in Des Moines and worked several years for Dalbey Lumber Co. before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in November 1942 where he served until March 1946.

He married Lorraine Drake in September 1944 and they were privileged to spend nearly 54 years together. They are the parents of three children, Sharon Lesan (husband Vince Weber) of Bethel, AK, Jacque Defenbaugh (husband Guy) of Savannah, MO and Gene Lesan of Columbia, SC.

Dedicated to his life as a farmer, they lived for 50 years on their farm in the Benton community before retiring to their home in Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1996.

Bob liked growing things and enjoyed raising livestock. After he retired he enjoyed his hobby of flower gardening and he and Lorraine enjoyed traveling.

He was a lifetime member of the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church where he was faithful in his support and attendance, having served on many of the boards. A member of the American Legion, he was a willing volunteer. He had served as a 4-H leader, on the Benton School Board, on the FHA Board, and on the Board of Tax Review.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law, Betty Lesan.

A devoted father and loving husband, he is survived by his wife Lorraine, his daughters, Sharon and Jacque and son Gene; granddaughter, Christy Caldwell (husband David) of Ankeny, IA and Laura Defenbaugh of Savannah, MO; and an infant great-grandson, Austin James Caldwell; one brother, Rex Lesan and wife Marilyn of Leon; a sister, Joan Rinehart and husband Park of Mount Ayr, several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Services were held at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa on July 3, 1998. Officiating was Rev. Michael Druhl. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and Dr. Collus Lawhead. Casketbearers were Troy Lesan, Lynn Rinehart, Ron Sickels, Jerry Barker, Glee Mobley and Brian Mobley. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Robert married Lorraine Drake in 1945 in Ringgold, Iowa, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sharon Lesan
2. Jacque Lesan
3. Dale Eugene Lesan

Glen married Mabel Butler on 20 Aug 1919 in Mt. Ayr, Ringgold, Iowa, United States. Mabel was born on 27 Jul 1899 in Hermix, Harrison, Missouri, United States; died before 1999. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Burritt married Mary Ann "Molly" McClaren about 1885. Mary was born on 8 Feb 1862 in Mason, Illinois, United States; died on 9 Oct 1941 in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Lesan. The second, couple of Interest to Ottumwa people are Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Lesan.
J. P. Lesan who resides in this city at 427 Ottumwa Street is a brother-in-law of George W. Lesan. The sketch is as follows: "Both Geo. W. Lesan and his wife Mary M. Lesan, were born in Sebec, Maine. George W. Lesan was born February 11, 1830. Mary M. Lesan was born February 27, 1837. In early life they removed to Stark county IL. They were married March 13, 1853. In 1855 they removed to Ringold County, where they have resided ever since. They -lived on a farm near here until 1894 when they took up their residence in Mt. Ayr. Seven children were born to this couple, four of whom are living and all are married. The last one married was their youngest child, Dr. C. T. Lesan of Mount Ayr, who was married 6 months ago. This aged couple have fifteen grand-children. Mr. and Mrs. Lesan are enjoying the best of health. They celebrated their golden wedding March 13 of this year. A rather peculiar incident of this golden wedding was the presence of seven persons who witnessed the original marriage fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Lesan are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lesan is a total abstainer and does not use tobacco. Mr. Lesan was a republican for many years but drifted into the greenback movement and later on became a devoted follower of W. J. Bryan. The children and grand-children all reside in this county and are frequent visitors at the old folks' home. There are in all about one hundred and fifty persons living in this county named Lesan, and all are related. George W. Lesan seems to be a sort of chief among the Lesans. This couple lives contented and happy and are respected by all who know them.



The Ottumwa Courier 7-10-1903



You may have this, but I just entered in my FTM so thought I would send it along.



Buzz Hoffman

George married Mary Melissa Lesan on 13 Mar 1853 in Stark, Illinois, United States. Mary (daughter of Charles Lesan and Mehitable Pratt) was born on 27 Feb 1837 in Sebec, Piscataquis, Maine, United States; died on 4 May 1927 in Ringgold, Iowa, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]