Obit: Lesar, Frank Sr. (1871 - 1944)
Contact:  Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: LESAR SMOLC

----Sources: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 08/17/1944

Lesar, Frank Sr. (20 MAR 1871 - 14 AUG 1944)

Frank Lesar Sr. passed away at his home in Gorman (Clark Co., Wis.), 4 miles southwest of Willard, on Monday, Aug. 14, 1944 at about 5:45 a.m., having reached the age of 73 years, 4 months and 24 days.

Mr. Lesar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Lesar, was born in Jugoslavia on March 20, 1871 and came to the United States 51 years ago.

On Nov. 10, 1895 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Smolc at Ely, Minn. To this union were born 11 children. Two daughters preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, five sons, Louis, Frank Jr., John and Barney of this community, and Ed of Ely, Minn., and four daughters, Mary, Frances, Agnes and Anna and grandchildren.

A Requiem Mass was sung at Holy Family Church at Willard on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 10:00 a.m. and he was laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery there. Rev. Raphael Stragisher officiated.

A more complete obituary will be published next week.

(Follow on in 08/24/1944 Greenwood Gleaner)

Frank Lesar Sr., 73, son of Matthew and Theresa Lesar, was born in Grahova Vas, Slovenia, Jugoslavia, on March 20, 1871. There he grew to manhood, at the age of 23, July 23, 1893 he came to Ely, Minn. On Nov. 10, 1895 he was united in marriage to Frances Smolc. Eleven children were born to this union. Two daughters preceded him in death.

In 1909 he came to Willard and was one of the pioneer settlers of Gorman. He was active in local affairs, serving as officer, of school, church, cheese factory and town for many years. He was a member of the K.S.K.J. Society of Willard.

He died suddenly on Aug. 14, 1944. Death was caused by complications resulting from hardening of arteries.

Mr. Lesar is survived by his wife, 5 sons, Frank, Joe, and John of Willard, Louis at home, Edward of Ely, Minn.; a daughter, Mary of Willard, Frances, Anna and Agnes at home; a sister of Ely, Minn. And 10 grandchildren.

A Requiem High Mass was said at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church at Willard on Thursday, Aug. 17, 1944, with Rev. Father Raphael Stragisher officiating. He was laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Frank Francel Sr., Anton Trunkel Sr., Paul Oblock Sr., Ludwig Perushek Sr., Frank Klanchar Sr. and Jos. Perko Sr.

Those from away who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Mary Gotchnik, John Gotchnik, Emil Ogala, Miss Patsy Graham, John Zupancic, Edward Lesar and Mrs. Angeline Vertin of Ely, Minn., Miss Frances Russ of Hibbing, Minn., Dr. and Mrs. Jos. Skala of Chicago, Ill., Miss Frances Russ and Mrs. Agnes Meados of Chisholm, Minn.