Lester R. Nordahl

NORDAHL—Lester R. Nordahl, 89, life-long resident of Florence, passed away Jan. 14, 2013.

Lester was born May 11, 1923, in the Larsen, N.D. He was a first generation American, born to Norwegian immigrants, who settled in North Dakota. The family moved west to the Florence area in 1925. He was one of nine children.

He graduated from Siuslaw High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. He served in World War II, initially as a radio operator and then became a driver for his division’s captain. The mission was to scout behind enemy lines for the 558 Field Artillery Battalion.

Lester had a terrific sense of humor, was always willing to lend a helping hand, and was a devoted family man. He loved to create mechanical solutions to everyday situations and carved miniature boats from solid chunks of wood.

He piloted towboats and did various tasks on the Siuslaw River with his brother, Trygve, before becoming a log scaler for the Columbia River Log Scaling Bureau.

He was married Oct. 31, 1946, to his wife of 66 years, Louise, who survives him.

He has one daughter, Linda Newton, of Las Vegas, Nev.; a grandson, Matthew Newton of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother, Andrew, of Florence; two sister-in-laws, Deane and Evelyn, both of Florence; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration will be held at Burns’s Riverside Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m.

Contributions can be made to the Friends of Florence van for cancer patients, or Florence Food Share.

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook