July 19, 1914 €“ Feb. 19, 2009
Lester Milton Weld, 94, of Sweet Home died Feb. 19, 2009 from complications with pneumonia.
He was born on July 19, 1914 to Alta and Rollan Weld and grew up on a farm near Bowdon, N.D. He married Gladys Faye MacDonald on July 3, 1936.
The Welds moved out west to pursue job opportunities. They first lived in Southern Idaho before moving to LaGrande. There he worked on a farm and later owned the LaGrande Sanitation service. They lived in LaGrande for nine years.
Mr. Weld and his family settled in Sweet Home and started Sweet Home Sanitation in 1947. He bought the garbage franchise for $500. Later he started a septic service business in 1949. He retired in 1979 and enjoyed traveling many years and working on his tree farm.
The Welds were loving parents to their four boys: Truman, Sherman, Myron and Alfred. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before Mrs. Weld died on Nov. 5, 1993.
Mr. Weld married Wilemina VanDermyden on June 25, 1994. He was 80 and she was 82. They were an inseparable couple and enjoyed gardening, cooking and entertaining together. He was a hard-working man and was known for his friendly nature and his trademark overalls.
Mr. Weld was part of a world-wide Christian fellowship and loved entertaining and helping others, always with an easy smile and generous spirit.
He is survived by his loving wife, Wilemina; his brother Arnold Weld and his wife Leola of Albany; sons Truman Weld and daughter-in-law Elinor of Albany, Sherman Weld and daughter-in-law Leslie Ann of Sweet Home, Myron Weld and daughter-in-law Joann of Prosser, Wash., Alfred Weld and daughter-in-law Barbara of Sweet Home; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and countless relatives and friends who will miss him.
Mr. Weld was preceded in death by his wife Faye; brothers Clifford and Boyd; and sisters Ruth Lien and Merle Krack.
Funeral services were held Feb. 23 at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.