Lester Auerbach

Lester Raymond Auerbach, 91, a lifetime resident of the Atlantic area, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Les was born northwest of Atlantic on the family farm, April 14, 1926, to Frank L. and Nellie J. (Bornholdt) Auerbach. He attended country school and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1944. He married his high school sweetheart, Iva May Chaffee, on April 27, 1947 at the First Christian Church in Atlantic. The couple was blessed with three children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren during 53 years of marriage.

He farmed for 12 years south of Atlantic and later sold grain storage and handling equipment for Walnut Grove (15 years) and Lloyd & Meredith (10 years). In retirement he sold cars at Larsen Ford in Exira for 14 years.

Les was a Boy Scout leader for many years while his son, Rich, was in Scouts. He was a member of the Lion’s Club for 36 years and the United Church of Christ in Atlantic. Later in life, Les learned to fly airplanes and was the first president of a local flying club. He and Iva loved traveling the world over the years. His most memorable international trips were to see the Great Migration on African Safari and also a visit to Australia and New Zealand. Alaska was his favorite destination in the United States. He loved spending time in his woodworking shop crafting such items as bedrooms sets and pie safes for his children and grandchildren. Les loved refurbishing furniture as well.

Lester is survived by son Richard (Anne) of Broomfield CO, and their children Mary Anne Thornton (Travis), John (Gretchen), Mark (Holley) and Elizabeth Auerbach; daughter Joyce Bruggeman (Chuck) of Cedar Rapids IA, and their children Melissa Tarasiewicz (Jon), Breanne Ayers (Matt), Rob Bruggeman (Sara) and Caitlin Bruggeman; daughter Janet Albert (John) of Marion, Iowa, and their children Jack and Lauren Albert; sister Phyllis Ainslie of Portland OR; step-brother Jerry Moore (Sandy) of Pittsville, WI; step-sister Cathy Edgar of Guthrie OK; and long-time friend Evelyn Knop. He also leaves us with his many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Iva in 2001, step-mother Elizabeth Auerbach, sister Mildred Auerbach , brother Wayne Auerbach and Wayne’s wife, Donnis.

Open visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 24th at Roland Funeral Home, with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 25th at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lester’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN HIS LOVING MEMORY
Lester “Les” R. Auerbach

BORN
April 14, 1926 - Cass County, Iowa

DIED
March 20, 2018 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
91 years, 11 months, 6 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 25, 2018
United Church of Christ - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Reverend Nancy Jensen

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Ivory Palaces”

“In the Garden”
“Old Rugged Cross”
By the Congregation

CASKET BEARERS
Rob Bruggeman
Mark Auerbach
Jack Albert
John Auerbach
Russ Auerbach
Kelly Muller

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Frank Greiner
Mick Thompson
Donnie Drennan
Glen Smith
Kern Miller
Brian Farley
Paul Ruhr
\Jack Burrows

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery - Atlantic, Iowa


The family invites you to join them for refreshments in the
fellowship hall following services at the cemetery.