Lester Gene Oakland

Lester Gene Oakland, 88, of Great Falls, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.  A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 24th at 11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1009 18th Ave. SW, Great Falls. 

Born on January 6, 1930 to Christian and Louise Bohner Oakland in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Lester was raised in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada, attending Thunder Hill 2nd Golden Prairie.  He immigrated to the United States on January 30, 1943 with his mother and brother, Robert, and attended Great Falls High School.  In 1952 he became a proud United States citizen, and in 1953 he married Velma Storle at Our Saviors Lutheran in Great Falls.

Lester was a mechanic for a few years before he started selling Snap on tools.  He finished his work years selling life and health insurance for Blue Cross Blue Shield. He was a trustee and vice president of Sons of Norway, Lodon Lodge #138.  He was also a Master Mason. 

An avid cribbage player, Lester loved to hunt, fish and pick huckleberries.  In the winter you would find him on his snowmobile enjoying the outdoors. 

Survivors include his beloved wife Velma, daughter, Vicki (Charlie) Hail; son, Lonnie (CJ) Oakland; brother, Robert Oakland; two nieces, Chris and Leslie; three grandchildren, Hank, Cilena and Kris; three great-grandchildren, Riley, Issie & Alysa, with one on the way.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Memorial donations for Lester may be made to the Sons of Norway Foundation, 1314 7th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405 or to Bethel Lutheran Church, 1009 18th Ave SW, Great Falls, MT 59404.

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