Former Forest Lake resident and businessman Lester Matheson, 84, of East Bethel, has died.

Matheson grew up in Lake Netta where he worked on the family farm. Matheson was the oldest of eight kids to Carl ìBillî and Esther Matheson so once he completed the ninth grade he started working full time tending to the farm.

During World War II Matheson was drafted into the Marines where he was shipped to Camp Pendelton in San Diego. While at Camp Pendelton Matheson would walk down the road to the Ocean Side Baptist Church where he meet his wife Verna in 1946.

ìWe met playing ping pong at the servicemanís center at the church,î Verna said. ìHe preferred to play checkers and hold hands but I liked ping pong.î

The two were married in 1948 at the very church where they meet.

While still in the Marines, Matheson spent time in Maui.

In 1948 Matheson brought his bride back to Lake Netta where they started their family.

The Mathesons moved to Forest Lake in 1958 when Matheson and his brother were working as plumbers in the Twin Cities. In 1964 Matheson decided to buy Lindquist Hardware where the Big Dollar Store is now located.

ìEverybody said you could find stuff at the hardware store you couldnít find anywhere else,î Verna said. ìHe didnít like that because it meant they went everywhere else before coming to our store.î

Matheson sold the store in 1973 then worked some small jobs as he considered himself retired and tended to his hobbies of gardening and woodworking.

A memorial service was Friday, June 3, at Crossroads Evangelical Covenant Church, Forest Lake.

Matheson is survived by his wife Verna; children Cheryle Baxter, Merlin, Sheldon, Vern, Sheila, Julie Rojas and Darin; 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchilden.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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