MILLER, SD – Lester Hargens, 93, of Miller, passed away with his wife, Carolyn, at his side on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 13, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller, with Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Howell Cemetery, rural Miller. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2024, followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Lester William Hargens born January 24, 1931, was a well-loved husband, father, and great/grandfather whose legacy of love and laughter spilled over and into the lives of several generations.

He was born to George and Bessie (Snyder) Hargens. In his early beginnings, he and his 9 siblings were raised and worked together on their 3rd generation family homestead (16 miles north of Miller). It was there he learned how to be creative with a dollar while enjoying an occasional good time in town with brothers in tow. Lester left all that he knew in 1951 and joined the U.S. Navy venturing off to Korea. He returned home to the farm in 1956 where he used his wiles to woo and wed the love of his life, Carolyn (Gross) Hargens for 66 years.

To subsidize his farming income, Lester took over the family business of writing insurance for Missouri Valley Insurance after his father’s passing. Taking a great leap of faith, Lester and Carolyn moved to Miller in 1969 and purchased Community Oil Company, a small full-service gas station and bulk fuel service that served them well for 40 years.

Lester knew no stranger. Passers-through and longtime neighbors enjoyed his infectious smile and quick wit. To know him was to call him ‘friend’. He was an avid fan of his boys’ many sporting activities, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends always with a tale to tell at the end of the day.

Lester passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7th with Carolyn at his side. A vision by his 4-year old great granddaughter, Layne, “I saw Grandpa climb a ladder in the sky, and Jesus opened the clouds and let him in”, gave us the confirmation in our hearts that he is now resting in the arms of Jesus.

As we reminisce and recant the tales of the best moments we’ve shared with him, it is not lost on us that his sense of humor and trickster ways live on. He has left quite a legacy behind and some pretty sizable shoes to fill.

Lester is survived by his wife, Carolyn and their children: Rick (Melodee) Hargens, Craig Hargens, Michele (Scott) JuVette, Michael Hargens, and Timothy (Sheila) Hargens; their grandchildren: Lindsay (Garret) Chilson; Emily Hargens; Colin (Geri) Hargens, MacKenzie JuVette, Taylor (Katie) JuVette, Sawyer (Shelby) JuVette, Noah JuVette, Tage Hargens, Tristan Hargens, Kiauna Hargens, Nick Zolnowsky, AJ (Trisha) Zolnowsky, Michael (Selena) Hargens, Irma (Freddie) Esparza, Vanessa (Austin) Esparza; 18 great grandchildren; and brothers; Richard Hargens, Charles Hargens, and Raymond (Linda) Hargens.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Bessie Hargens; brothers: George (Lois) Hargens, Edwin (Charlene) Hargens, and Marvin (Donna) Hargens; and sisters: Mabel (Sheldon) Holt, Hazel (Charles) Clement and Eileen (Herb) Stender.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Miller Outlaw Ball Association.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Lester’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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