Les R Bartholomew

Les R. Bartholomew passed away on September 23rd 2015 surrounded by his children at his home in Alexandria, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on November 11th, 1923 in Alexandria, MN, the eighth child of William M. and Sophie C. (Fried) Bartholomew. He grew up playing on the railroad tracks where the Great Northern and the Soo Line crossed. Les's parents moved frequently settling in the Alexandria area when Les's older brother started farming. His first school, District # 36 was near where the Carlos Creek Winery now stands. His brother wanted a larger farm so the family moved to a farm between Garfield and Brandon where Les attended several rural schools in the area and finished in district # 48. Before attending High School at Central High in Alexandria he stayed home for a year to help with the farming. The work was hard but there was always good food, even during the depression years. In April 1942 he left school and went to work at a Gambles store and then at a Phillips 66 station. In October 1942 he enlisted in the United States Navy where he spent 19 months on the Islands in the South Pacific. In April of 1945 he returned to the States and enrolled in Mechanics School in Chicago and on June 16th 1945 he married his sweetheart Marlyn Prieb. Together they shared a life and raised three children in Alexandria. Sharon Ann born in 1947, Mark Douglas in 1954 and Murray Stuart in 1957. Les worked for the Alexandria Telephone Co. for 10 years, and then spent 24 years as a plant superintendent for what is now Alexandria Industries, formerly Alexandria Extrusion. In 1988 he retired. He played golf and even took up skiing. He volunteered in his community and was Adjutant for his American Legion Post 87. He was a life member of the Legion, served as a Military Honor guard for many of his buddies who passed before him and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936. He was Grand Marshall in the Memorial Day Parade at least twice. He was very active in Zion Lutheran Church. He taught Sunday School, was active with the Boy Scouts and Mens Club, served on the school board and at one point was chairman of the congregation. He also served on the Geneva Cemetery Board. Wood working was one of his favorite things to do and many family members and friends are enjoying the many projects he made for them over the years. He made several items for the Zion Church and school and loved getting the thank you notes back from the children. Riding his three wheeled bike in his later years kept him fit and at 90 years of age he rode 500 miles on the trails in Alex. He loved to stop and listen to the birds and enjoy the peace and quiet of the trail. He also enjoyed shooting pool at the Senior Center. For many years Les made peanut brittle during the Holidays for family and friends. 40 batches or more each year was a labor of love and his gift to so many. Les is preceded in death by his wife, Marlyn, and his seven siblings. He is survived by his children, Sharon Trushenski and husband Scott, Mark Bartholomew, Murray Bartholomew and his wife Deborah, grandchildren, Todd Trushenski and wife Pam, Ryan Trushenski and wife Julie, Marcie Kluver and husband Scott, and Chad Bartholomew, great grandchildren, Adam, Anna, Kaitlyn, Emma, and Blake Trushenski, Jordon and Emily Kluver and Madison and John Bartholomew. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. A visitation will take place on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home. A visitation will also take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Douglas County Hospice

Les R Bartholomew

November 11, 1923 - September 23, 2015