Dorothy Lester, age 92 of Montezuma, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Brooklyn Community Estates following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Deep River Christian Church, Deep River with Marvin and Doris Freeborn officiating. Burial will be in the Barnes City Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday evening, March 20, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A memorial fund has been established.

Dorothy was born on July 19, 1916 in Mahaska County near Union Mills, Iowa, the daughter of John E. and Jennie Burggraaf McMahan. Dorothy was baptized at a young age at Barnes City Christian Church. She graduated from Barnes City High School with the class of 1935.

On January 7, 1939 she was united in marriage with Virgil R. Lester at Grinnell, Iowa. To this union one daughter, Barbara and one son, Allan were born. They farmed most of their lives around the Montezuma and Deep River communities. Dorothy was an active member of the Deep River Christian Church and CWF. She moved from the family farm in 1996 to an apartment in Montezuma, where she resided until entering Brooklyn Community Estates in 2005. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her family, attending her grandchildren’s school activities and spending winters in California. She also enjoyed making quilts for her family and had a love for gardening, flowers and songbirds.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Virgil in 1985; grandson, Christopher Lester in 1976; son-in-law, Harry Ku in 2005; four brothers, Gerald McMahan, Donald McMahan, Hassal McMahan and Adrian McMahan; and sister, Doris Cheney.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Barbara Ku of Riverside, CA; Allan & (Wanda) Lester of Aplington, IA; grandchildren, Nichole & (Mike) Lebeda of Urbandale, IA; Nathan Lester of West Des Moines, IA; Robin & (Yolanda) Ku of Bloomfield, CO; Ryne & (MaeJean) Ku of Burbank, CA; Ried Ku of Torrance, CA; great-grandchildren Ethan & Noah Lebeda, Briar Lester, Jade, Kristy, Nolan, Clayton & Colton Ku; sisters Helen McMahan of Montezuma, IA & Hazel & (Darwin) Palmer of Barnes City, IA; sister-in-laws, Imogene McMahan of Marion, IA, Verla McMahan of Roberta, GA, Daisy Lester of Omaha, NE; Dorys Lester of Boulder, CO and many nieces, nephews and friends.