Lester Galles

Lester D. Galles, age 86, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2007, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 a" 8:00 P.M. Monday, May 14th at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (East Chapel) in Little Falls with parish prayers at 5:30 P.M. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 a" 11:00 A.M. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls with military rites conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and Little Falls V.F.W Post #1112. Lester Daniel Galles was born on October 28, 1921 in Alton, Iowa to the late Charles & Virginia (Boltz) Galles. Lester enlisted in the Unites States Navy on August 19, 1942. He served in World War II on the USS Skate Submarine. He was involved in two patrols in the Sea of Japan along with eight other submarines. He was also involved with two other submarines in the Bikin test (a nuclear test sight). He was honorably discharged on October 24, 1945. Lester worked as a machinist for aircraft at the naval air station in Minneapolis where he completed 20 years. He also was a manager at the VFW and American Legion in Little Falls, MN. Lester was united in marriage to Nettie Mealman January 23, 1945. The couple was blessed with two boys, Daniel and Duane. Later on, Lester was united in marriage to Betty (Belanger) Welter in June, 1970. The couple lived in a number of different places in Minnesota including Golden Valley, Little Falls, Sauk Centre, Rice and Owatonna, MN. Lester was the care taker for Sacred Heart Parish while living in Owatonna, MN. They owned and operated the Airway Supper Club in Sauk Centre while living there. They eventually settled in Little Falls during the winter of 2004. Lester enjoyed playing cards, dancing, woodworking, cooking, eating, story telling and spending time with family, friends and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lester will be sadly missed by his children, Daniel (Kathy) Galles of Sparks, Nevada and Duane Galles of Minneapolis, MN, Keith (Cyndy) Welter of Mesa, AZ, Don (Linda) Welter of Roanoke, VA, Tim (Londa) Welter of Little Falls, MN, Jeanne (Craig) Gaines of Little Falls and Julie Erickson of Little Falls; sister, Clara Risberg of Owatona, MN; brothers, Monsignor Rev. Francis Galles of Preston, MN and Lawrence Galles of Slayton, MN; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Virginia Galles; wife, Betty Galles (July31. 1006); twin brother, Sylvester Galles; brothers, Gerald, Charles and Eugene Galles; sisters, Leona Buse and Rose Virginia Galles. Arrangements are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (East Chapel) in Little Falls, MN.