Lester D. Brychta

Lester D. Brychta, age 86, of Barnes, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at Hanover Hospital in Hanover.

Lester was born May 13, 1932, on the family farm south of Waterville to Albert and Bessie C. (Osner) Brychta. 

He married Ila Mae (Eaton) Brun on August 5, 1979 at Washington. 

Lester was fond of saying that when he married Ila Mae he instantly became a husband, dad and grandpa. All of which he loved being. In addition to Ila Mae’s three children, Howard, Martha and Jeff, he also helped raise his sister Ileen’s children, Rick, Debbie and Nancy, after her husband Bill passed away. 

Lester grew up on the family farm and continued to work as a farmer until his retirement. Then not wanting to stay home, he worked several more years for the Farmer’s Cooperation in Barnes. The only period he was not farming was during the Korean War. He joined the US Army and served as a combat engineer operating a bull dozer.

Lester was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenleaf where he served on the Church Council. He was also a member of the John Doerr Post 145 of the American Legion and Lions Club, both in Barnes.  

He enjoyed working in his garden raising onions, beets, corn, cucumbers and tomatoes. He also liked to play cards and bingo. It would be an injustice to leave out that Lester loved cats, regardless of size or color.

Survivors include his children, Howard (Marcia) Brun of Topeka, Martha Durst of Derby, Jeff (Sue) Brun of Merridan and Vic Wilson of Hanover, seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, and a sister Dorothy (Bob) Bletscher of Manhattan.  Preceding Lester in death are his wife Ila Mae, his parents and a sister Ileen Clanton.

Viewing will be one hour before the service. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, February 22, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Greenleaf, with Sister Mary Arie officiating. Music is to include congregational hymns of “Amazing Grace” and “In The Garden”. Honorary Casket Bearers include; David Brun, Darin Brun, Delton Brun, Terry Durst, Raymond Johnson, Kyle Johnson and Ian Holle. At the conclusion of the service Military Honors will be rendered by the Honors Detail from Fort Riley. Cremation will follow the service with a private family inurnment at Greenleaf City Cemetery, Greenleaf at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Barnes Lions Club and may be sent in care of Terry-Christie Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.