Obituary of Lester A. Spilseth

Lester A. Spilseth Lester A. Spilseth, 95, of Olympia, died Thursday, October 13, 2011. Lester was born March 29, 1916 in Kensington, Minnesota to Jorgen and Ida (Peterson) Spilseth. He was raised in Kensington and graduated from high school there. On November 1, 1941 in Kensington, he married the former Ruth Backlund. She died in 1983. In 1984, he married Anna Kneeland Paulson in Roswell, Georgia. She also preceded him in death. Les served in the U. S. Army during WWII as a tech 4th grade in the 92nd Cavalry Recon Squad. He was part of the occupation forces that moved through France and into Germany. After the war, Les settled in Shelton, Washington and resided there until 1970. He worked as an electrician at the Insulation Board Plant owned by Simpson Timber Company. He worked there for 23 years and then at the Olympia Brewery for 10 years. He retired in 1978. Les was a very gentle man with a great sense of humor who would help anyone. He loved splitting wood, gardening, woodshop projects, and golf. He was a charter member of the Olympia Horseshoe Club, and was installed into the Horseshoe Hall of Fame in 2001. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church and Shelton Elks Lodge. Les is survived by daughters, Terri Ann Spilseth and Nancy Spilseth of Olympia. He was predeceased by wives, Ruth Buckland and Anna Paulson; son, Jim; and infant son, Dale Edward. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 21, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. Refreshments to follow service. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Please leave remembrances of Les or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.