Born to Life: April 6, 1945
Born to Eternal Life: November 16, 2025
John 11:25-26
Jesus said… “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
God’s dear child, Lester Lewis Andrews, 80, of Darlington, WI, was called from his earthly life peacefully at home on November 16, 2025, and is now in the loving care of his Heavenly Father in his eternal home.
Lester was born in Dodgeville, WI, on April 6, 1945, to Hellen (Vivian) and Willard Andrews. He grew up in a house his dad built in Wiota Township, one of 11 children, and attended grade school at Johnny Cake School, a one-room schoolhouse that he would eventually relocate to his property later in life. He graduated from Darlington High School in 1963, before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served his country proudly for 4 years, serving as a torpedo man mate on submarines.
After returning from the service, Lester married Lynn Gertsch on February 17, 1968, and eventually moved to Monroe, WI, where they raised the 4 children that the Lord blessed them with.
Lester’s work ethic was forged early, leaving home in the 7th grade to stay at and work on area farms. In the early years after returning from the Navy, Les held jobs at Advanced Transformer, Star Upholstery, The Swiss Colony, and Brigg’s Transportation. It was after that when he landed in his longest tenured career at United/UTELCO/TDS, where he worked for 30 years as a lineman and then outside plant supervisor. Upon retiring from the phone company in 2004, he worked for a stint with White Engineering, before finishing his working days as the “Man and a Van” carpenter.
Outside of work, Les enjoyed taking family vacations, motorcycle rides, collecting antiques, and he had a large collection of Silver King tractors, which he drug the family far and wide on trips to acquire. Lester was a man of many talents, a self-proclaimed cobbler, he was always helping someone with something and leaving his mark on the projects and hearts of many. He was very outgoing and could talk to and befriend anyone. He was an active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church (now Resurrection Lutheran Church), where he spent many hours serving the God that had so richly blessed him. Lester was a faithful Christian, witnessing to many and introducing them to his Savior.
Lester moved back to his childhood home in 2010, which he had remodeled with his brother, where he lived out the remainder of his years with his loving wife. He and Lynn spent a lot of time during his final years running around visiting family and friends, and especially supporting and seeing their grandchildren doing their thing – he didn’t want to miss a thing.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Donald, Gerald, Larry (infant) and Neil; nephews: Andrew Stanton and Todd Andrews (infant); niece: Tammy Andrews; and parents-in-law: Violet (Holverson) and Albert Gertsch.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57+ years, Lynn; children: Bryan (Ellen), William (Cristina), Mark (Heather), and Sarah Monigold; grandchildren: Mickaelynn Andrews, Elizabeth Tollefson, Nolen Andrews, Elias Andrews, and Nora Monigold; siblings: Leslie (Judy), Keith (Becky), Marion (Ed) Stanton, Merlin (Eloise), Nancy (Joe) Herbst, and June (Dave) Hoppenjan; sisters-in-law: Shirley (widow of Donald), Bev (widow of Gerald), and Carla (widow of Neil); and many nieces and nephews.
A Christian funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., November 22, 2025, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1603 16th Ave., Monroe, WI, with a meal immediately following. Visitations will be held before and after the service at 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Lester's life and the victory Christ won for him.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Resurrection Lutheran Church at https://www.rlcfamily.org/page/giving.
